Commissioning of new classrooms at GPS Feletoa Featured
24 August, 2020. The Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni, was the Guest of Honour, at the commissioning of new classrooms at the Government Primary School Feletoa on Wednesday 19th August.
The new building 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
“I am so pleased to partake at this occasion this morning and see the happy faces of our children. Investing in quality education is one of the key objectives of the Bank and we are pleased to be able to support the government in promoting quality education through safe and secure, clean and functional learning spaces,” said Mrs. Natalia Palu Lātū.
“Today parents and guardians, we are reaping the harvest of four new classrooms that will not only serve the students of today but will certainly serve those in years to come. I am certain that these classrooms will serve the local communities in years to come for these classrooms are built stronger, safer and durable,” said Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni.
“The construction of these new classrooms for GPS Feletoa was in the original PREP program before Cyclone Gita. Today’s occasion marks the completion of these 4 new classrooms. These classrooms are separated by partitions, which can be drawn to make one big room and can be used for larger gatherings” said Mr. Paula Ma’u.
The District Officer for the Leimatu’a constituency, Mr. Paea Uasike welcomed the guests at the beginning of the ceremony. Rev. Kaulave Falepapalangi blessed the new classrooms. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Ma’u presented the overview of the project. The World Bank representative in Tonga, Mrs. Natalia Palu Lātū, delivered a speech representing the development partners. The Keynote Address was delivered by the Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni. The Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism, Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu delivered the Vote of thanks.
The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Adrian Morrison; the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries, Lord Tu’ilakepa; the Project Management Unit representative; the contractor, Five Star Construction representative; Deputy Directors and senior officers from the Ministry of Education, town officers, members of the clergy, parents, teachers and students of GPS Feletoa were also present to witness this prestigious event.
The new classroom buildings were constructed by a local contractor, Five Star Construction. 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 TOP$980,350.97.
