Three new classroom buildings for ‘Apifo’ou College commissioned today Featured
29July 2020. The Prime Minister, Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa commissioned three new classroom buildings at ‘Apifo’ou College this morning. Two buildings with two classrooms and one building with three classrooms and a store room, were constructed under TC Gita Reconstruction Phase.
The CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Ma’u, presented the overview of the project. Fr. ‘Ekuasi Manu, the Principal of ‘Apifo’ou College delivered the Vote of thanks on behalf of Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, the PTA and ‘Apifo’ou College. Fr. ‘Ofa Vaihu, the Deputy Principal delivered the Benediction.
In his Vote of thanks, the Principal, Fr. ‘Ekuasi Manu states that words cannot express their deep gratitude towards the World Bank, Government of Australia and the Government of Tonga for their assistance. He thankfully expressed “Blessed are the generous, those who do acts of charity, they shall receive blessings in packages” and “Blessed are the receivers and patience.
”It is this patience that “have cemented a very resilient and robust spirit among the staff and students.” With reference to the new classroom, Fr. Ekuasi eloquently and appreciatively quotes “Put students in a cleaner stable environment that would naturally elevate the aptitude and motivation to study,” which is “the most noble atmosphere that you have given ‘Apifo’ou.
”He also points out that students knowingly smile, that they will leave the two and a half years studying in tents and enjoy the new classrooms.
The representative from the World Bank Office in Tonga, Mrs. Natalia Latu; the second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, Ms. Madeline Scott; the former Prime Minister, Dr. Feleti Sevele; Honorable Minister of Education and Training, Mr. Siaosi Sovaleni; Honorable Minister of Finance, Mr. Tevita Lavemaau; the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Edgar Cocker; the Design and Supervision Consultant Contractor, CARDNO; PREP Project Management Unit, Parents, Teachers and Students of ‘Apifo’ou were present to witness today’s prestigious event.
The new classroom buildings were constructed by a local contractor, Ca’bella Pacific Construction (Tonga) Limited. The total area of the seven classrooms is 350 m2, which can accommodate about 210 students. The total value for the construction is TOP 1,298,775.00.
The new classroom buildings were funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government under the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) under MEIDECC.
