Australian Government assistance helps schools in the West

21 May 2010

Two schools in the Western Division, one in Ba and the other in Lautoka, have upgraded their teaching facilities with funding assistance from the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP).

Australian funding assistance of $14,865 has enabled the Karavi Public School in Ba to renovate two of its classrooms, while the Gurukul Primary School in Lautoka received close to $8000 for the purchase of new library books.

Visiting the schools this week, the Australian High Commission’s DAP Coordinator, Ms Claire Scott, said investment in education is a priority in Australia’s development assistance programs.

“Education is essential for individuals, families and societies. It enables people to participate actively in their societies, increases access to employment and other sources of income and opens up opportunities,” she said.

The Direct Aid Program is a small grants program which supports small-scale projects with a strong development focus.

To date, 31 community projects around Fiji have benefitted from total Direct Aid Program funding of close to $301, 000 since July last year.

**ENDS**