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 faced a lack of electricity for the past seven years.
Located 60 kilometers from Labasa town, Domonisavu Primary School has five teachers. School manager Manoa Tamaitugi recounted that when the school was established by the community in 1960, kerosene lamps were utilized before a generator was eventually acquired. In 2007, the school received a large solar panel from the European Union, but it ceased functioning after ten years.
Since 2017, the school has submitted both verbal requests and written appeals to the Ministry of Education for assistance in providing new solar panels. Mr. Tamaitugi explained the challenges faced by the teachers, who must travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational materials due to the absence of electricity.
He emphasized that electricity would greatly enhance the learning environment, allowing for better lighting during extra classes, as well as access to teaching aids such as televisions, laptops, and projectors. Additionally, electricity would enable the use of Wi-Fi for online resources and facilitate the charging of devices.
The student body at DPS includes children from nearby communities, including Nayarable Village and various settlements. The school comprises four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education area, the headteacher’s office, and quarters for four teachers.
Mr. Tamaitugi noted that while parents are aware of the school’s rural setting, they have continued to urge him to seek support from the Ministry of Education, especially as urban schools seem to receive more government assistance. He mentioned the lack of mobile network coverage within the school, forcing teachers to climb mountains to make phone calls.
The school community remains optimistic that the government will provide the necessary solar panels to motivate the students and improve their educational outcomes. In response to inquiries in Parliament, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro assured that he would investigate the matter and provide a response.