Technology boost for Navosa school
Students of a Navosa remote school, Vakacereivalu Memorial School, received a big boost with meducation technology. Meducation is a new concept from Vodafone ATH Foundation.
The school received $2500 worth of meducation tablets, Wi-Fi devices and internet connection free for a year from Vodafone ATH Foundation. Head Teacher Isimeli Druavesi said: “We are very grateful and blessed to have received the support from Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation being the most remote school.
“Since everyone is now getting connected to the world and world of information and knowledge through mobile devices, the tablets will greatly help the students not to be left behind because they are in the remote area.” Western Charity Alliance and Nadroga DCOSS project Officer, Selita Donu said: “Vakacereivalu Memorial serves the nearby villages and has some 50 students.
“When the weather is not good we have to park our vehicles at a distance and walk down, said villager Peni Mataika.
“In the past, we carried the school equipment and materials like desks chair computers etc for the school on our feet. The reason I’m sharing this is so people know the challenges of being in the remote areas.”
To reach the institution it will take a six-hour ride from Sigatoka Town. It serves four villages – Nakoro, Draubuta, Motokana and Korolevu – with over 400 people in the vicinity of the Tikina Nasikawa.
Foundation Executive Ambalika Devi Prakash said: “Communication technologies are keys to reshaping sustainable education.
“These technologies are rapidly being adopted throughout the world and have the power to bridge gaps between those in the suburb and those in the remote areas.
“We are stepping into the future of a digitally connected world and if the primary school children do not have access now they will be left behind in the future and may feel disconnected from the world.
“So far we have rolled out meducation technology to over 200 schools both under 50/50 policy and also direct grants. These included both primary and secondary schools and now, slowly, we are helping village-based youth internet cafes allowing them to upload project progresses, share stories and build online communities in turn adopting best practices.”