Japan’s Ambassador to Fiji, Michii Rokuichiro, encouraged students at Dreketi Central College (DCC) in Macuata on Friday to embrace knowledge and pursue academic excellence. His remarks came during the handover ceremony for three newly constructed classrooms funded by the Japanese Government.
The project, which cost $333,784, was made possible through the Japanese Government Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) program. Ambassador Rokuichiro stated that the new classrooms symbolize a gateway to knowledge and educational development. In addition to the funding, the college received three tables and chairs for teachers, as well as 120 new desks and chairs for students.
Rokuichiro urged the students to take ownership of these resources and use them wisely. He highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Japan and Fiji, particularly in the field of education. Minister of Finance Biman Prasad, present at the event, expressed pride in witnessing the development of quality infrastructure at his former school, noting that these new classrooms would benefit all students at the college.
School manager Savenaca Vakacego emphasized his dedication to ensuring the construction of cyclone-resilient classrooms. He praised the timely support from the Japanese government and assured that their assistance would always be remembered by the community, students, teachers, and parents. Currently, the school serves 364 students from Years 9 to 13, and a technical college is also in operation.