First expo for region
FOR the first time ever, Dreketi and Labasa held a career’s expo, according to an article by The Fiji Times on June 20, 2006.
It stated that more than 2000 students hailing from the provinces of Macuata, Bua, and Cakaudrove attended the expo.
Students from schools in these areas congregated with a sense of anticipation in the bustling town of Labasa and also in Dreketi.
The event, the first of its kind in the area, promised a wealth of opportunities and insights into various career pathways.
More than 600 students showed up, accompanied by their parents.
Etuate Visako, the dedicated careers officer at the helm of the Education Ministry, beamed with satisfaction as he witnessed the bustling activity at Dreketi High School, despite the expo’s fleeting nature, of being confined to a single day.
Representatives from 20 schools spanning across the picturesque expanse of Vanua Levu graced the event, with a predominant presence of Form 6 and Form 7 students.
For many among them who hailed from underprivileged backgrounds, the quest for education transcended mere ambition.
It became a beacon of hope amid financial constraints. Visako keenly observed their fervent pursuit of knowledge, recognising the pivotal role the expo played in shaping their future trajectories.
Yet, it wasn’t just the students who found solace in the wealth of information laid before them.
Many parents were reported to have found themselves enlightened, discovering avenues to utilise their savings from the Fiji National Provident Fund to secure their children’s educational pursuits.
Pio Rokosuka, the information and marketing officer from the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji, marvelled at the palpable enthusiasm radiating from both students and parents alike.
In the heart of remote communities, where access to educational resources remains scarce, the expo served as a beacon of enlightenment.
It ignited flames of curiosity, fostering a newfound sense of purpose and direction.
As the students departed, their minds brimming with newfound knowledge and aspirations, they embarked on a journey fuelled by possibility, driven by the promise of a brighter tomorrow.