Electricity could significantly enhance the educational experience for students and teachers at Domonisavu Primary School in Nayarabale, Cakaudrove. The school, which serves 67 students from kindergarten to class eight, has gone without electricity for the past seven years.
Located 60 kilometers from Labasa town, the school employs five teachers. According to school manager Manoa Tamaitugi, the community built the school in 1960, using kerosene lamps initially before acquiring a generator for power. “Thanks to the European Union, we received a large solar panel in 2007, but it broke down after ten years,” Mr. Tamaitugi explained.
Since 2017, the school has made verbal and written requests to the Ministry of Education for solar panels to support their needs. Teachers currently have to travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational materials due to the lack of electricity on site.
“Electricity would greatly enhance our children’s learning,” Mr. Tamaitugi noted. “In addition to enabling access to printing and photocopying, students could benefit from extra classes in better lighting. Teachers could also utilize better teaching aids like televisions, laptops, and overhead projectors. Furthermore, wi-fi availability would allow devices to be charged.”
The student body comes from nearby locations, including Nayarable Village and several settlements. The school’s facilities include four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education center, the headteacher’s office, and quarters for teachers.
Mr. Tamaitugi mentioned that while parents recognize the school’s rural setting, they often urge him to seek assistance from the Ministry of Education, especially as urban schools seem to receive more government support. “There’s no mobile network at the school; teachers have to hike up a mountain to make calls,” he stated.
He expressed hope that the government would provide solar panels, which would motivate students to excel academically. When Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro was questioned about the issue in Parliament, he assured that he would investigate and respond accordingly.