Electricity could significantly enhance the educational experience for both students and teachers at Domonisavu Primary School in Nayarabale, Cakaudrove. The school, which serves 67 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, has been without electricity for the past seven years.
Located 60 kilometers from Labasa town, the school employs five teachers. School manager Manoa Tamaitugi explained that the community built the school in 1960 using kerosene lamps initially, and later they acquired a generator for power. In 2007, they received a sizable solar panel from the European Union, but it malfunctioned after ten years.
Since 2017, the school has made repeated requests to the Ministry of Education for assistance in providing new solar panels. Tamaitugi highlighted the challenges teachers face, noting that they must travel to Labasa to print educational materials due to the lack of electricity at the school.
He emphasized that having electricity would significantly enhance students’ learning experiences, allowing for extra classes with proper lighting and access to modern teaching tools such as televisions, laptops, and overhead projectors. Wi-Fi connectivity and recharging capabilities for devices would also be possible.
The student body primarily comprises children from several nearby communities, including Nayarable Village and several settlements. The school features four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education facility, a headteacher’s office, and quarters for four teachers.
Tamaitugi mentioned that although parents recognize the school’s rural setting, they continue to urge him to seek assistance from the Ministry of Education, as urban schools are receiving government support. He also noted the lack of mobile network coverage at the school, forcing teachers to trek up a mountain for phone calls.
He expressed hope that the government would support them with solar panels, which would motivate students to excel academically. During a recent parliamentary session, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro was approached regarding the issue and assured that he would investigate and provide a response.