YOUNGER students of Yasawa-i-Rara will no longer have to walk daily to attend classes as a new school has begun operating this week. The construction of the school started three years ago and was a joint collaboration with private donors, the education ministry, district office and villagers.
Landowner Timoci Momolevu said the opening of the school was a great opportunity for students. “We have about 10 students now who will be attending and previously, they have had to walk over three and a half hours to Bukama Village School,” he said.
“Now, they won’t have to travel and they can just have classes here.” Mr Momolevu said there were plans to extend the Yasawa-i-Rara Infant School in years to come.
University Professor Dr Ajantha Perera, who helped spearhead the project, said she became aware of the plight of students after visiting Yasawa-i-Rara a few years ago.
“Most of the construction materials were provided in kind only by the private sector,” she said.
“They were stored in the Government yard and the Government barge provided the transport.”
Having contributed towards the additional construction cost, materials and expenditure, Dr Perera said the total expenditure for the project was about $50,000. Two teachers are teaching at the school.
