Commissioning of new classrooms at the GPS Hoi ^Featured

The new building has three classrooms which costs TOP$645,429.66 with a total area of 150 m2 and can accommodate 75 – 90 students.

This construction is under the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) project led by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and co-funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government.

The PREP project includes the reparation and reconstruction of school buildings that were damaged by TC Gita which hit Tonga and ‘Eua in February 2018.

There are 25 schools in the project; building 33 new buildings and repairing 10. It is a total of 110 classrooms in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Vava’u and cost approximately TOP$28 million.

The town officer and chairperson of the PTA, Kasolaite Tupouniua, welcomed the guests and expressed his gratitude by saying, “Today, the community of Hoi witness the love and support for our children and generations to come through this new school building.

His Excellency, Adrian Morrison commended the government in realizing the importance of education and investing in it by saying:

“His Majesty King Tupou I knew the value of education, he knew that education was the key to Tonga’s success, he continued to champion the education for Tonga for the rest of his reign and I commend you all for sharing his vision and commitment to making that vision a reality.”

The Honourable Prime Minister reminded the students of GPS Hoi that wisdom is from God and hope for more blessings for their families through their education.

He advised the students by saying: “I hope that you will value this assistance by studying hard and look after these facilities for the benefits of Tonga.”

Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni thanked the World Bank, the Government of Australia and all the participating Ministries for working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education and Training for the success of the project.

He also said, “Despite the unfavourable weather, it is important to commission these new classrooms in which the students will be safer rather than in the tent.”

The Town Officer and PTA Chairperson, Mr Kalisolaite Tupouniua welcomed the guests at the beginning of the ceremony. Rev. Taani Palavi blessed the new classrooms.

The Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Adrian Morrison delivered a speech representing the development partners.

The Honourable Prime Minister, Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa delivered the keynote speech. The Minister of Education, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni delivered the Vote of thanks.

The Minister for MEIDECC, Honourable Poasi Tei; South Korean Honorary in Tonga, Mr. Tevita Puloka; Puloka Construction representative, Mr. Matani Puloka; Senior Education Officers; Project Management Unit representatives; members of the Clergy; town officer; parents; teachers; and students of GPS Hoi were also present to witness this prestigious event.

The new classroom building was constructed by a local contractor, the Puloka Construction.