24 students to pioneer Access Programme
Twenty-four secondary school students from the Wakanisila community will pioneer the first Access Programme in Fiji and the Pacific. Non-government organisation, Vision Fiji, has received $70,328 to manage the two-year programme.
The United States-funded programme will allow these students to master the English language that will help them secure good jobs in the future.
The programme provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged students between the ages of 13 to 20. US Ambassador to Fiji Joseph Cella said the American Government was confident that the students’ English proficiency will be more advanced at the conclusion of the programme.
“Participants will also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study prospects in the United States,” he said.
While advising the students, Mr Cella said: “Take the programme seriously, study smart, and don’t be shy. In this course, you will be able to rise up and set a career for yourselves ensuring that you go confidently in the direction of your dreams.”
The Access Programme in Fiji will employ trained local English teachers to assist the students.
Participants
Participant of the programme, 14-year-old Lore Ratuyawa said she looked forward to beginning the courses from next week and hoped to sharpen her English knowledge and skills.
“English is always the subject that carries a lot of weight during our exams, especially external examinations and to participate in this course is such a blessing,” she said.
Her mother, Salote Ratuyawa said she was grateful to the American Government for allowing such a programme to be rolled out in the country that would benefit many Fijian children who struggle with the English language.