118 years on - Deuba District School

Deuba District School this year marked 118 years of serving as a beacon of education and progress for the people of the tikina of Deuba.

It was established in 1906 and is certainly one of the oldest schools in the province of Serua.

According to Reama Pareti, who is a distinguished educator and alumni of the school, Deuba District School’s (DDS) significance as a fountain of not just secular but traditional knowledge is invaluable.

The Sunday Times team made our way to Deuba earlier this week to attend the school’s awards ceremony and had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs Pareti to learn more about the rich history of DDS and the deep connection it shares with the people of Serua.

It was also a deeply intimate and personal experience for me covering this story as I discovered that my maternal grandfather, the late Ratu Aporosa Toroca had served as a teacher at the school.

“The school was started in 1906 mainly to serve the tikina of Deuba, which included the villages of Vunibau, Sauniveiuto, Sadro, Nasavu, as well as the various informal settlements close by,” Mrs Pareti said.

“It also served as an institution to educate the children of civil servants who were based at Naitonitoni.”

Mrs Pareti recalled that during her time as a pupil, Deuba District was the first place in which she and so many other children of the province learned the basic skills of reading and writing.

“I started school at DDS in 1969 as a class one student and I was taught by Mrs Avisake Rasoki, who is long gone now.”

She greatly acknowledged the passion and depth that teachers at the school had in discharging their duties. Something which has left an indelible mark on her outlook on life and is the foundation for her appreciation for the pursuit of quality and meaningful education.

“There have been numerous alumni of the school who have gone out and built successful and professional careers in the fields of politics, education, medicine, and engineering.

“Some of the notable names who are products of this school which I can recall is the late government minister Joketani Cokanasiga, rugby icon Waisea Nayacalevu, and current Minister for Local Government and Housing, Maciu Nalumisa.”

Mrs Pareti stated that even though DDS may have a semi-urban setup, it is still one of the few schools that treasures cultural and traditional knowledge, which is engrained in the students.

“The teachers here have a special job of not only trying to instil mainstream educational concepts, but are also working to preserve traditional customs and language by imparting them to the students.”

Mrs Pareti emphasised that despite the children of the school coming from various backgrounds, the teachers have moulded them well with a solid grounding in cultural teachings., She revealed, however, the main challenge is ensuring that the students remain consistent, especially when they move into the urban centres and are faced with the challenges of technology and social media.

“Most of the students who received awards today are children coming from single-parent homes or are being looked after by their grandparents. So, you see, the foundation for these children is solid, because they are being raised by a more senior generation who have a more intrinsic link to iTaukei culture and tradition.”

Mrs Pareti acknowledges that many parents from nearby areas have decided to send their children to schools closer to home, however, she believes that if DDS continues on its current track of solid cultural and traditional learning, it will become a pull factor for the iTaukei, hence there is a need to upgrade and expand the current school facilities to cater for the future influx.

“The old scholars association is working hard on our school’s five-year plan which includes building a multi-purpose hall, as well as a plan to boost the literacy abilities of the students to enable them to become excellent readers which will enable them to better comprehend and understand the world they live in.”

Mrs Pareti stressed that to shape and mold good students then there must be a greater emphasis in schools on ensuring that pupils excel in the basics which includes being able to read well and formulate their views and ideas.

‘Defend the truth’

Reverend Aisea Rarokoliwa also took the opportunity to send a strong message to the students of Deuba District School encouraging them to stay true to the teachings of the Bible and not be swayed by negative influences brought on by social media and drugs.

Mr Rarokoliwa shared a story of how during his time at Davuilevu, he had lost his wallet which contained $1000 in cash. He was surprised a day later when he received a call from his daughter who told him his wallet had been found by two boys.

“One of two boys, I found out later, had an athletics competition coming up and needed money to buy his sports attire.

“When I spoke to them they told me that they had found my wallet, but apologised as well because they had used $5 to buy recharge to make the call to me, my wallet had $995 inside.”

Mr Rarokoliwa told the students that such acts of honesty and integrity sadly couldn’t be found easily now.

“There is a lack of honesty in people today. Even people with degrees, who are well educated lack appreciation for telling the truth, this is the sad reality of today.”

He reminded students that when they leave Deuba District and move out to become part of society they must not part from the teachings of honesty and respect which they have been taught.

“Remember, the source of truth is not found in any academic publication, the only document that will compel you to defend the truth and uphold honesty is the Bible, God is the source of truth, so align yourself and whatever you do to him.”

Aerial shot of Deuba District School. Picture: RABEKAU FARM FIJI

Kindergarten graduates of Deuba District School.
Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI

The frontage of the school with students and parents assembled to witness the prize giving ceremony held earlier this week.
Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI