Libraries are vital: Reddy
The Minister for Education Mahendra Reddy stressed the importance of libraries in schools to improve the lives of students for their future.
“Libraries play a very important role in overall enlightenment of a child,” Mr Reddy said.
“Libraries are a place where children can go and do open reading, move out of the text books, acquire knowledge that will help them build a better citizen of this country.”
Mr Reddy made these remarks during the opening of the new library at Tagitagi Sangam School in Tavua, yesterday.
The cost of the construction of the library was $27, 000 of which $10,000 was provided by the Government.
He said: “Education is not only about teaching Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics or Basic Science; it is also about the holistic development of a child who then can become future responsible citizen of this country.
“So it is in this regard that libraries play a very important role. It holds a body of knowledge tied with text books, magazines and newspapers which students can go and access, read and know about the history of the country, build knowledge about all other aspects of life, learn about existence of Fiji, rest of the world and how some people are unfortunate in some parts of the world and how fortunate we are and help us better appreciate life, better appreciate being Fiji citizen and how we can contribute to the overall growth and development of Fiji and the Fijian society.” Tagitagi Sangam School manager Naian Swamy Gounder said: “We are very happy and thankful to the Fijian Government and Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam for this initiative. “It was always our dream to have a small library for the school students and finally that dream has been fulfilled,” he said.