13 July 2004 - Australian Funding Assists Nakauvadra High School

Equipment, funded by the Australian government through the Fiji Education Sector Program and valued at $20,000 was today officially handed over to Nakauvadra High School to support its Agriculture and Fisheries Program.

In a hand-over ceremony at the school this morning, the Australian High Commission's Second Secretary (Development Cooperation), Ms Stacey Tennant said: "The rural locality of the school, with readily accessible land for farming, makes agricultural studies a relevant and priority subject and the Government of Australia is particularly pleased to be able to provide assistance to the Agriculture and Fisheries course at Nakauvadra High School." There has also been support for the Agriculture and Fisheries program from the community in the form of a 40 acre piece of land donated by the local chief, Tui Navitilevu.
With the equipment, Nakauvadra High School will now be able to upgrade the quality and facilities of its Agriculture and Fisheries program, introduced in 2001. The two major activities undertaken by the school are in the areas of cane farming and fish farming. This provides hands-on opportunities for students to further develop their skills in agriculture and fisheries. By providing funding directly to schools to upgrade their Vocational Centre courses, the Fiji Education Sector Program is providing opportunities for students to receive quality, cost-effective Vocational education without having to move away from their communities after completing secondary education.

Australia, through the Fiji Education Sector Program, has provided a grant of over F$300,000 to enable nine schools throughout Fiji to update their equipment for selected Vocational Centre courses. The aim is to equip students with skills that will help them find jobs and establish businesses.

(For further information on the Fiji Education Sector Program or to enquire about specific projects, please contact the Program Managers, Peter Short and Brij Lal, on 3317 547 or by email on [email protected] )