According to Assistant Education Minister Iliesa Vanawalu, there has been a notable improvement in the country’s literacy rate, as indicated by an assessment conducted last year. The minister credited this change to the revival of previously established initiatives that had been abandoned by the former government.
Mr. Vanawalu emphasized that the country has returned to foundational programs, highlighting the return of Library Week after years of neglect under the previous administration. “There was no celebration of Library Week for the past few years. So, after a lapse of many years, we get to celebrate it again,” he stated.
He noted that the increased emphasis on libraries and their importance in education has resulted in measurable advancements. “We can see the improvement on the ground, especially in literacy levels,” he remarked, adding that access to library resources has had a beneficial influence on students’ literacy. “Now we can see the fruits of our labor by enabling students to participate in library classes throughout Fiji.”