EU ALLOCATES $21 MILLION TO UPGRADE FIJI SCHOOLS

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

EU ALLOCATES $21 MILLION TO UPGRADE FIJI SCHOOLS
New classrooms, books, furniture for 301 schools

SUVA, Fiji (FijiSUN, April 9, 2008) - The European Union has allocated approximately FJ$31 million [US$21 million] to improve local schools.

EU first secretary Gabriela Koehler-Raue said 301 schools were part of this Fiji Education Sector Programme. Ms. Raue said there were many schools in remote areas in need for infrastructure such as new classrooms, teacher’s quarters and hostels for boarders. She said the EU was also assisting Ratu Kadavulevu School building a hostel to replace the one that was destroyed in a fire last year.

"We are also sourcing schools with library books, furniture, science equipment and also sports equipment," Raue said. "EU is helping the Ministry of Education in building up their capacity in planning and providing future teachers study and training on teaching in schools in rural areas. Through improving the school infrastructure we are improving the school environment for the children and the teachers."

Raue said the EU with the Ministry of Education opened the new teachers three bedroom quarters at the Wairabetia Muslim School in Lautoka yesterday.

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