Twelve districts in Macuata have committed to raising $30,000 each to enhance educational opportunities for children throughout the province. During a recent meeting of the Macuata Provincial Council held at Sasa Village, Tui Labasa Ratu Jone Qomate expressed his admiration for the traditional leaders who initiated this plan.
Ratu Jone indicated that if every district contributes, the total fund could reach an impressive $360,000 by the 2025 financial year. He pointed to the concerning results of the Fiji Eighth Year Examination (FEYE), which saw around 6,000 students failing, prompting the leaders to take action.
An education committee comprising retired teachers has been formed to investigate how many students from Macuata were among those who did not pass. Currently, they do not have specific data regarding how many of the failed students are iTaukei children.
The raised funds will be used to support various educational initiatives, including a potential scholarship program for students in need and additional resources for those requiring extra academic assistance. Furthermore, Ratu Jone drew attention to findings from the iTaukei Affairs Board’s wellbeing survey, which indicated a troubling number of school dropouts, many of whom could not provide satisfactory reasons to their parents.
Highlighting the crucial role of parental involvement, he urged traditional leaders to engage more with children about the significance of education.
This initiative not only shows a commitment to improving educational outcomes in the region but also highlights a community-driven approach to tackle challenges faced by students. With coordinated efforts and increased support, there is significant potential for positive change in the educational landscape of Macuata.
Summary: Twelve districts in Macuata are collectively raising $360,000 to improve education after concerning examination results. An education committee will investigate the failure rates, and funds will be allocated to educational programs and scholarships, addressing the high dropout rate and emphasizing parental support in children’s education.
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