The Matua program

TALK about giving a second chance and the yellow ribbon initiative comes to mind.

However, Nabua Secondary School believes in giving young minds, who dropped out of school, a second opportunity to complete their secondary school education through the Matua program, which aims at helping these children become useful members in their communities.

Based on Nelson Mandela’s view that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, the Matua program evolved in 2003 thanks to the initiative and brains of the former vice principal Marika Uluinaceva, who made a trip to Malaysia in 2002 and was inspired by what he saw and came up with a vision to infuse the “education for all” concept in Nabua.

The Matua program runs alongside the normal school program at Nabua Secondary School, which is the only institution that provides and allows a high school completion through a second chance to secondary education.

According to the Matua co-ordinator Litia Matia, “the Fijian word matua literally means matured so the Matua program targets years 10, 12 and 13, who dropped out of school for one reason or another without completing a secondary qualification that was necessary for tertiary studies or for employment.”

“Classes start at 5pm and finish at 7.45pm and students are given a 15-minute break,” Mrs Matia said.

She said through the Education Ministry’s Careers section, she was able to attend the various Careers Expo organised in the different parts of Fiji and present to the participants what the Matua programme was about and the subjects offered at each level.

Mrs Matia said two students who were enrolled in the Matua program last year were on National Toppers Scholarship and the recipients Karalaini Koroitaiti and Adi Arieta Kolikata are pursuing studies at the University of the South Pacific.

Mrs Matia said the teachers were doing their best to help these students by photocopying notes and activity sheets and conducted Saturday classes to complete their coverage and revise with the students.

Mrs Matia thanked the Government for providing assistance to the students and thanked Tiko Kece Taxis and Hire chairman Ratu Lomaca Baleilevuka for assisting the school by providing transport to the teachers who took evening classes.

She also acknowledged the efforts of the teachers who sacrificed their family time to teach the students who were enrolled in the Matua program.

The Matua program is unique in Fiji and Nabua Secondary School is the sole provider.