No more boat rides to Nasealevu. Nakaidrau Infant School – located in Nasalia Village in Naitasiri – did not have proper classrooms, and students of Year 1 to Year 4 had to use the community hall as their classrooms.
The school committee had asked for assistance from the government of Japan that funded the construction of a three-classroom building, including an office, library space and school furniture that comprised 60 sets of desks and chairs for students, three sets for teachers, and six long tables.
“Right now, we are thankful to the Japan government for giving us the three classrooms that will house the Year 3-6 students,” said school headteacher Inoke Nailumu.
“We are so grateful and happy that the students will not have to cross the Wainimala River eight times, which is sometimes scary and unsafe,” he said.
There were a few hiccups in the past where the lives of students and teachers were put at risk.
This dangerous route to school had caused accidents and concerned parents are worried about their children’s safety.
In his address Dr Ikeda Yuichiro, counsellor and medical attache of Japan to the Republic of Fiji, urged students of Nakaidrau Infant School to do their best in their studies.
He also urged them to exercise care for the new facilities so that it would continue to serve the communities in years to come.
The government of Japan provided funding worth $214,000 under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme (GGP).
Since 1990, the GGP program has continued to contribute to socio-economic development and enhancement of human security in Fiji, therefore, enabling Japan to provide assistance to grassroots communities around Fiji with more than 387 projects amounting to US$27m being funded to date.
“We will try our very best to look after the school by keeping it clean and tidy,” said head girl Asilika Marama.
