Electricity has the potential to significantly enhance the educational experience for both students and teachers at Domonisavu Primary School in Nayarabale, Cakaudrove.
With an enrollment of 67 students from kindergarten through class eight, the school has been without electricity for the past seven years. Located 60 kilometers from Labasa town, it employs five teachers.
School manager Manoa Tamaitugi explained that when the community built the school in 1960, they initially relied on kerosene lamps before acquiring a generator for electricity. “Thanks to the European Union in 2007, we received a large solar panel, but it broke down after ten years,” Mr. Tamaitugi shared.
Since 2017, the school has made multiple verbal and written requests to the Ministry of Education for new solar panels to support their needs. “Teachers have to travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational documents because there is no electricity at the school,” he noted.
He emphasized that access to electricity would greatly improve student learning opportunities, enabling not only the ability to print and photocopy materials but also to conduct extra classes in better-lit environments. With electricity, teachers would have access to improved teaching resources like televisions, laptops, and projectors. This would also allow for Wi-Fi access and the ability to recharge devices.
Students at DPS come from several nearby settlements, including Nayarable Village and Baleyaganiga Settlement. The school consists of four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education area, a headteacher’s office, and four quarters for teachers.
Mr. Tamaitugi mentioned that while parents understand the rural nature of the school, they continue to urge him to seek assistance from the Ministry of Education, noting that other urban schools receive government support. “There is no network at the school, and teachers must walk up the mountain to make phone calls,” he added.
He expressed hope that the government would provide solar panels, which would inspire students to excel in their studies. When asked about the issue in Parliament, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro assured that he would investigate and respond.