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.
Situated 60 kilometers away from Labasa town, the school employs five teachers. School manager Manoa Tamaitugi explained that when the school was established by the community in 1960, they initially relied on kerosene lamps before acquiring a generator to provide power. “In 2007, we received a large solar panel thanks to the European Union, but it malfunctioned after ten years,” Mr. Tamaitugi noted.
Since 2017, the school has made several verbal and written requests to the Ministry of Education for assistance in securing solar panels. He highlighted the challenges teachers face due to the lack of electricity, stating that they must travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational materials.
“Having electricity would greatly enhance our children’s learning. Besides enabling access to printing and photocopying facilities, it would allow for extra classes with improved lighting,” he explained. Additionally, the presence of electricity would provide teachers with better teaching tools like televisions, laptops, and overhead projectors, while also allowing for Wi-Fi access and the ability to charge devices.
Students at DPS primarily come from Nayarable Village and several nearby settlements, including Baleyaganiga, Nayaqalevu, Tabia, Dokanaisuva, and Namagala. The school consists of four classrooms, one library, an early childhood education center, the headteacher’s office, and quarters for four teachers.
Mr. Tamaitugi mentioned that while parents recognize the school’s rural context, they consistently urge him to seek help from the Ministry of Education, especially since urban schools seem to receive more government support. He also stated that teachers often have to trek to higher ground to make mobile calls due to the lack of network coverage at the school.
“We are hopeful that the Government could assist us with solar panels to help motivate our children to excel academically,” he added. When Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro was questioned about the matter in Parliament, he assured that he would investigate the issue and provide a response.