Commissioning of new classrooms at the GPS ‘Ohonua in 'Eua Featured
10 August, 2020. The Minister of Finance, Customs and Revenue, Honourable Tevita Lavemaau, was the Guest of Honour at the commissioning of new classrooms at the GPS ‘Ohonua on Thursday 6th August.
The two new buildings with four classrooms, were constructed under the Pacific Resilience Programme (PREP) 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.
“We particularly commend the Government of Tonga, for prioritizing school reconstruction projects as part of the cyclone recovery effort.” “Teachers and students of ‘Ohonua GPS, make the most of the new facilities, make the most of the opportunities they offer, if you work hard and study hard, your reward will follow,” said HE. Morrison.
“Ko e ako’i e hako tupu e fonua´, ‘oku mahu’inga ke nau ‘i ha lokiako ‘oku malu, lokiako ‘oku ma’a, lokiako ‘oku taau, ke faka’ai’ai ‘etau fanau´ke nau feinga ke ma’u ha ‘ilo mo ha poto ‘oku leleiange.´Ke ma’u ha ‘ilo ‘e hoko ko ha makatu’unga ke langa ai ha kaha’u ‘oku leleiange,´said Hon. Sovaleni.
The PTA Chairperson, Mr. Lolomana’ia Fili welcomed the guests at the beginning of the ceremony. The Deputy Director for Primary Schools, Mr. ‘Isikeli Oko, presented the overview of the project. The Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Adrian Morrison delivered a speech representing the development partners. The Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Siaosi ‘Ofa-ki-Vahafolau Sovaleni delivered a speech on behalf of the Government of Tonga. The ‘Eua Education Officer in charge, Mr, ‘Oto’ota Tatafu delivered the Vote of thanks.
The President of Education for the Free Weslyan Church of Tonga, Rev. Dr. Mele’ana Puloka; the contractor, Ca’bella Pacific Construction (Tonga) Limited; the Designing and Supervision Consultant Contractor, CARDNO; Deputy Directors from the Ministry of Education, District Officer, members of the clergy, parents, teachers and students of GPS ‘Ohonua were also present to witness this prestigious event.
The new classroom buildings were constructed by a local contractor, Ca’Bella Pacific Construction (Tonga) Limited. The total area of the four classrooms is 200 m2, which can accommodate about 100 to 120 students. The total value for the construction is TOP898, 280.00.
