Electricity could significantly improve the educational experience for students and teachers at Domonisavu Primary School in Nayarabale, Cakaudrove. The school, which serves 67 students from kindergarten to eighth grade, has been without electricity for the past seven years.
Situated 60 kilometers from Labasa town, the school has five teachers. School manager Manoa Tamaitugi explained that when the school was established by the community in 1960, they relied on kerosene lamps before acquiring a generator for power. “In 2007, we received a large solar panel thanks to the European Union, but it broke down after ten years,” Mr. Tamaitugi stated.
Since 2017, the school has made repeated verbal and written requests to the Ministry of Education for solar panels to assist with their energy needs. He noted that teachers must travel to Labasa to print worksheets, exam papers, and other educational materials due to the lack of electricity at the school.
“Having electricity would greatly enhance our students’ learning. It would enable us to have a printing and photocopy machine, as well as better lighting for extra classes,” he explained. “Additionally, teachers could benefit from improved teaching aids such as televisions, laptops, and overhead projectors. There would also be Wi-Fi access and the capability to recharge devices.”
The students at Domonisavu Primary School come from surrounding areas, including Nayarable Village, Baleyaganiga Settlement, Nayaqalevu Settlement, Tabia Settlement, Dokanaisuva Settlement, and Namagala Settlement.
The school features four classrooms, a library, an early childhood education area, a headteacher’s office, and four quarters for teachers. Mr. Tamaitugi mentioned that while parents are aware of the school’s rural location, they have consistently urged him to seek assistance from the Ministry of Education, especially as other schools in urban regions have received government support.
“There is no network coverage at the school, and teachers have to walk up a mountain just to make phone calls,” he added. “We are hopeful that the government can help us with solar panels to motivate children to perform well in school.”
When approached about the situation in Parliament, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro assured that he would investigate the matter and provide a response.