Commissioning of new classrooms at the GPS Fahefa by Lord Ve'ehala ^Featured

The new building has two classrooms which costs TOP520,600.00 with a total area of 100 m2 and can accommodate 50 – 60 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 retrofitting/repairing and reconstructing of school buildings that were damaged by Tropical Cyclone 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 more than 110 classrooms in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Vava’u and cost approximately TOP$28 million.

The PTA Chairperson, Mr. Viliami Ma’ilei Manu’atu, welcomed the guests and expressed his deep gratitude for their presence to mark an important milestone for the students of GPS Fahefa as well as the parents and people of Fahefa, Ha’utu and Kala’au.  

The representative of the World Bank in Tonga, Mrs Natalia Palu Latu disclosed that similar to the Government of Tonga, the World Bank aims at enhancing the standard of education in Tonga, hence assists students in their academic endeavors, by assuring their safety in the classrooms. She consequently said that “A nation with an educated population, is a better and stronger nation.”

Lord Ve’ehala reminded the people of his estate, Fahefa, of the importance of education and the need to continue from primary to tertiary education to become good citizens.  He is supportive of education and urged parents to do likewise: “Parents it is your responsibilities to encourage your children to go to school and be educated.”

Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni said that children are the important resources of a nation and hoped that the new classrooms will assist in achieving a better and educated Tonga. He thanked the World Bank and the Government of Australia: “Thank you for financing this construction, for our dream would not have come true if it was not for your kindness.”

The PTA Chairperson, Mr. Viliami Ma’ilei Manu’atu welcomed the guests. The Hymn was read by the School Principal, Mrs. Mele Pua. Rev. Mosese Moa blessed the new classrooms. The representative of the World Bank in Tonga, Mrs. Natalia Palu Latu delivered a speech representing the development partners. Lord Ve’ehala delivered the Keynote Address.

The Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni  delivered the Vote of thanks.

The People’s Representative, Mrs. Losaline Ma’asi; the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Education and Training, Dr. Tangikina Moimoi Skeen; the Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u; the Manager of the TTS Construction, Mr. Talo Fetu’u’aho; Mr. Paula Kava and Cardo representatives; Senior Education Officers; Project Management Unit representatives; members of the clergy; town officers; parents; teachers; and students of GPS Fãhefa were also present to witness this significant event.

The designing and supervision of the construction was done by Cardno, an Australian Company, and constructed by a local contractor, the TTS Construction Limited.