Electricity could significantly enhance the educational experience for students and teachers at Domonisavu Primary School in Nayarabale, Cakaudrove. With an enrollment of 67 students ranging from kindergarten to class eight, the school has been without electricity for seven years.
Situated 60 kilometers from Labasa town, the school employs five teachers. School manager Manoa Tamaitugi recounted that the community built the school in 1960, initially using kerosene lamps before acquiring a generator for electricity. He noted that, thanks to the European Union, a large solar panel was installed in 2007, but it broke down after ten years.
Since 2017, the school has made multiple requests to the Ministry of Education for solar panels to aid in their operations. Mr. Tamaitugi explained that teachers must travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational documents due to the lack of electrical power at the school.
Electricity could considerably enhance the learning environment, allowing for better lighting for classes and the use of printing and photocopying machines. It would also enable the use of teaching aids such as televisions, laptops, and projectors, along with providing Wi-Fi access and the ability to recharge devices.
Students come from various nearby settlements, including Nayarable Village and Baleyaganiga Settlement. The school has four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education area, a headteacher’s office, and quarters for four teachers on-site.
Mr. Tamaitugi acknowledged that while parents understand the school’s rural context, they continue to urge him to seek assistance from the Ministry of Education, especially since urban schools are receiving government support.
The lack of mobile network coverage forces teachers to hike up a mountain just to make phone calls. He expressed hope that the government would provide solar panels, which would greatly motivate the children to excel in their studies.
When Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro was questioned in Parliament, he promised to investigate the issue and provide a response.