Twelve districts in Macuata are joining forces to raise $30,000 each, with the aim of enhancing educational opportunities for the province’s children. This commendable initiative was announced during a recent Macuata Provincial Council meeting chaired by Tui Labasa Ratu Jone Qomate in Sasa Village.
If all districts contribute their share, they project a total of $360,000 could be amassed by the end of the 2025 financial year. Ratu Jone expressed his approval of this plan, noting the concerning results from the recent Fiji Eighth Year Examination (FEYE), where approximately 6,000 students did not pass.
The council is in the process of determining how many of those students who failed are from Macuata by utilizing an education committee made up of former educators. As it stands, there is no comprehensive data on how many of these failing students belong to the iTaukei community.
The raised funds will be directed towards various educational initiatives, including the establishment of a potential scholarship scheme for underprivileged students and additional support for those needing extra academic help. Furthermore, Ratu Jone pointed out findings from last year’s iTaukei Affairs Board’s wellbeing survey, which highlighted a significant rate of school dropouts, with many students unable to provide appropriate explanations to their parents about their absence from school.
He stressed the critical role of parental engagement and urged traditional leaders to take a more proactive approach in discussing the significance of education with youths.
This initiative reflects a strong commitment to improving education in Macuata, offering hope for a brighter future for its children. By prioritizing education and actively promoting parental involvement, this collective effort has the potential to uplift the community and address the alarming dropout rates.
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