Electricity could significantly enhance the educational experience for both students and teachers at Domonisavu Primary School in Nayarabale, Cakaudrove.
This school, which serves 67 students from kindergarten through class eight, has been without electricity for the past seven years. It is situated 60 kilometers from Labasa town and has five teachers on staff.
School manager Manoa Tamaitugi shared that when the school was established by the community in 1960, it relied on kerosene lamps before acquiring a generator for power. “In 2007, thanks to the European Union, we received a large solar panel, but it malfunctioned after ten years,” Mr. Tamaitugi explained.
Since 2017, the school has repeatedly requested assistance from the Ministry of Education for new solar panels. “Teachers often travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational materials because there is no electricity available,” he noted.
Mr. Tamaitugi emphasized the critical role electricity could play in improving students’ learning conditions. “Better lighting would allow for extra classes, and with electricity, teachers could utilize teaching aids like televisions, laptops, and overhead projectors. Access to Wi-Fi would also enable device charging.”
The students at Domonisavu Primary come from various nearby settlements, including Nayarable Village and Baleyaganiga Settlement. The school has four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education facility, the headteacher’s office, and accommodations for teachers on-site.
Parents are aware of the rural nature of the school but have been urging Mr. Tamaitugi to seek support from the Ministry of Education, noting that urban schools are receiving government assistance. “Since there is no mobile network at the school, teachers have to walk to the mountains to make phone calls,” he remarked.
He remains hopeful that the government will provide solar panels, which would motivate students to excel in their studies. When asked about this matter in Parliament, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro expressed his commitment to investigating the issue and providing a response.