A new social infrastructure program has been initiated to construct new classrooms and tackle urgent maintenance issues in schools along the Suva-Nausori corridor. The project, funded by the Australian government, was unveiled by the High Commissioner alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad, and Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro at Jagindra Singh Primary School in Tamavua, Suva.
Professor Prasad highlighted the $33 million social infrastructure program’s role in assisting the government with building school infrastructure throughout the Suva-Nausori corridor. Currently, an audit is being conducted on 86 schools to evaluate their needs.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro mentioned that the program aims to reduce the high teacher-to-student ratio in schools. He added that all buildings would be cyclone category 5 certified, constructed from locally sourced materials, and equipped with rainwater harvesting systems and solar power.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Ewen McDonald emphasized that the program would create safe and conducive learning environments where students can excel and teachers are provided with the necessary facilities to deliver quality education.
Additionally, the Australian government will offer technical support to the Ministry of Education’s asset management unit as part of the program.