Govt praised for focusing on rural help despite COVID-19 challenges
While Government is working hard to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, it has not forgotten the needs of the people and honouring their requests.
This is a sentiment shared by Seaqaqa Muslim Primary School head teacher in Macuata after receiving 20 sandalwood seedlings for the school from the Ministry of Forestry yesterday.
Over the past years, Mohammed Kamal said the school use to have vegetable plots but it never flourished.
Mr Kamal then wrote to the Department of Forestry two months ago seeking yasi seedlings for a change.
“I thought maybe we can try planting sandalwood around the school compound for beautification and to let it hold the soil from being washed away during heavy rains,” Mr Kamal said.
He said he lost hope in receiving assistance when Fiji first reported its first COVID-19 case because then all focus would be channeled the pandemic.
However, he was proved wrong when the Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Jale Sigarara personally paid him a visit to hand over the requested seedlings.
“Such deliverance during this pandemic shows the Government’s commitment towards the education sector and that it has not forgotten especially about the rural schools,” he said.
“We have 177 students and nine teachers from kindergarten to Year Eight. This project will come under one million tree planting initiative for the school where students will be given responsibility to look after it.”
Meanwhile, Mr Sigarara encouraged Mr Kamal to never give up hope and get things prepared because school is expected to reopen in June.