02 July 2004 - Australian Funding Assists Lami High School

Equipment, funded by the Australian government through the Fiji Education Sector Program and valued at $30,000 was today officially handed over to the Lami High School to support its Automotive Engineering Program.

In a hand-over ceremony at the school this morning, the Australian High Commission's First Secretary (Development Cooperation), Ms Susan Ivatts said: "Giving funds to Vocational Centres, such as this one at Lami High School is a sound investment in vocational education and training in Fiji. Many students have talent and skills in technical and vocational fields and courses like this allow them to further develop these skills."

With the equipment, Lami High School will now be able to provide certificate level courses from both the Training & Productivity Authority of Fiji (TPAF) and the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT). It is anticipated that many students will continue their studies at FIT and through TPAF to gain higher qualifications for entry into the workforce.

The school's Principal, Mr Lepani Bataba said the upgraded courses will attract more students to the Lami Vocational Centre.

"Having both the TPAF and FIT qualifications will provide better opportunities for students to gain employment after leaving the school," he said.

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])