Kioa Primary School Goes Online
Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation donated 11 tablets worth of $2,500, promised to provide free internet connection for a year
Kioa Island Primary School on Kioa Island in the Northern Division will now enjoy free internet connectivity. This was after Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation yesterday donated 11 tablets worth of $2,500 and promised to provide free internet connection for a year.
It is the only school in the island and for secondary school education, students move to Labasa, Savusavu or Taveuni Island. Kioa Island Primary School headteacher Sakaio Fiafia said the school has a computer laboratory with four desktops catering for 89 students and six teachers. “With limited resources it was very difficult for us to provide ample time for all students to have access to computer during computer classes,” Mr Fiafia said. “Only a few students had the privilege to use internet.” “Now thanks to Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation all students will have the opportune time to access information on internet by using tablets and at the same time be on the same phase with urban schools,” he said. “Teachers can use wifi to download educational materials, print and use it as teaching materials. “I am very happy because my students will not be left behind and deprived when they enter secondary schools in Taveuni Island, Savusavu or Labasa as they would be equally educated about technology devices.” Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation executive Ambalika Devi said this donation was part of the education programme which over 200 schools in Fiji are beneficiary of. “The Foundation has invested over $750,000 in education since the programme was mooted in 2014,” Ms Devi said. “Moreover, the Foundation has invested over $15m in direct grants since its inception in 2004 and we will continue to render support in areas that matters the most.
“Our focus for this year is that we will continue with health, education, income generation and entrepreneurial programmes to ensure that community rebuilding is fast tracked and are sustainable in the long run,” she said. “We will continue to help those who help themselves. “Our relationship with the community is ever growing and we see a lot of positive changes in the communities that we work with.”