A new social infrastructure program aimed at building new classrooms and addressing urgent maintenance needs for schools along the Suva-Nausori corridor has been launched.
The program, funded by the Australian government, was inaugurated by the Australian High Commissioner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad, and the Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro at Jagindra Singh Primary School in Tamavua, Suva.
Professor Prasad highlighted that the $33 million social infrastructure program will support the government in enhancing school infrastructure in the Suva-Nausori corridor.
To assess the schools’ needs, an audit is currently being conducted on 86 schools.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro stated that the program aims to address the high teacher-to-student ratio in schools. “All buildings will be category 5 cyclone certified, constructed from locally sourced materials, and equipped with rainwater harvesting systems and solar power,” he added.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Ewen McDonald emphasized that the program will offer safe and conducive learning environments where students can excel and teachers have the facilities needed to provide quality education.
Additionally, the Australian government will provide technical support to the Ministry of Education’s asset management unit as part of the program.