Commissioning of new classrooms for Hofangahau College, ‘Eua Featured
Mrs. Natalia Palu Lātū, the Liaison Officer of the World Bank in Tonga and Minister of Finance, Customs and Revenue, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau
10 August, 2020. The Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Siaosi ‘Ofa-ki-Vahafolau Sovaleni, was the Guest of Honour at the commissioning of new classrooms at Hofangahau College on Wednesday 5th August.
The new building of three classrooms was constructed under the Pacific Resilience Programme (PREP) Project led by the MEIDECC with funding from the World Bank and the Australian Government. The PREP project is building 33 new classroom buildings and repairing 10 classroom buildings, which is a total of 110 classrooms in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Vava’u.
“’Oku ou fakamamafa’i pē ‘a e fatongia ‘o e Pule’anga´mo e poupou ki hono teke ‘o e ako´ke fakahaa’i ia ‘i he polokalama ngāue patiseti ‘a e Pule’anga.´Ko e ‘inasi lahitaha´ia ko e Ako,´hoko ki ai ‘a e Mo’ui.´Ko e tui ‘a e Pule’anga´ko e langa fakalakalaka´, langa faka’ekonomika´mo fakasosiale ‘a e fonua´mo e langa tu’uloa´‘oku fakatefito ia ‘i hono ako’i mo hono teu’i hono to’utangata´ke ma’u ‘a e mo’ui kakato´mo e maama faka-‘Otua´” said Hon. Tevita Lavemaau.
“Given our country’s high vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, investing in resilient designs and buildings are critical, not only from a safety perspective but also from an economic and long-term financial perspective,” said Mrs. Natalia Palu Lātū.
The Principal, Rev. Sēmisi Fungalei welcomed the guests at the opening of the ceremony. A representative from the PREP Project Management Unit, MEIDECC, Dr. ‘Elina Kaufusi Bloomfield, presented the overview of the project.
Mrs. Natalia Palu Lātū, the Liaison Officer of the World Bank in Tonga delivered a speech representing the development partners. Minister of Finance, Customs and Revenue, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau delivered a speech on behalf of the Government of Tonga. The President of Education for the Free Weslyan Church of Tonga (FWCT), Rev. Dr. Mele’ana Puloka delivered the Vote of thanks.
The Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Adrian Morrison; the contractor, TTS Construction; the Design and Supervision Consultant Contractor, CARDNO; Deputy Directors from the Ministry of Education, District Officer, members of the FWCT clergy, parents, teachers and students of Hōfangahau College were present to witness this prestigious event.
The new classrooms were constructed by a local contractor, TTS Construction. The total area of the three classrooms is 150 m2, which can accommodate 75-90 students. The total value for the construction is TOP$438,230.00.
