Boats for Moala, Matuku schools
Paddling to school will no longer be an issue for two schools in Moala and Matuku islands in the Lau group. They were given two boats and engines yesterday by the Minister of Education, Mahendra Reddy.
Students of Cakova District School on Moala Island and Delaiverata District School in Matuku now have a reason to celebrate following the presentation.
“This initiative for remote and outer island schools that need our support to get children from one island to the other or one part of the island to the other,” Mr Reddy said. “Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has made it clear that he wants our children to attend school therefore these boats will be put to good use to transport students to schools in these two schools.”
A representative from the Lau Group, Filipe Jitoko, thanked the minister for the boats. “We thank your ministry and this is the first time any Government has done this for our children,” Mr Jitoko said.
“We used sticks to paddle our boats to take our children to school, but all thanks to you and your ministry, we will be using these boats now.”
He said in Moala Island three other schools would benefit from the transportation while on Matuku Island four other schools would benefit also.
Todate, the ministry has distributed 57 boats following the 2014 elections.