Commissioning of new classrooms at the GPS Taoa ^Featured

The new building with three classrooms, was constructed under the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) led by the MEIDECC and co-funded by 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 of approximately TOP$28 million.

“Some countries have large deposits of minerals or they have access to rich fishing grounds or they have vast tracks of fertile land. They are fortunate, but the most valuable resources a country possesses, more valuable than minerals or fish or plantation of vegetable and fruits for export, the most valuable resource a country possesses, a country has, is its people, because it’s people who add value to those minerals, to those fish or the fruits of the land, so we need to invest in our people and the best investment we can make in our people is to educate them” said HE Morrison.

“Taoa means loosely, as many spears, and what we are doing is helping these kids ready themselves for the battle ahead, sharpening themselves and their spears, but this reminds me of what Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you use to change the world. Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world,” pe ko e me’atau mālohi taha te ke ala ngāue’aki ke liliu ‘a māmani´ ko e ako.´ Students, if you want to change the world or your world, education is your most effective weapon, your most effective spear. You can use education to overcome poverty, you can use education to improve livelihood, you can use education to strengthen relationships within your communities and in Tonga,” said Hon. Sovaleni.

“We are very lucky to receive such kindness at this time. We hope to make good use of this new building to improve education here in Vava’u, especially in our village Taoa. We cannot thank you enough but we want you to know that we appreciate this gift very much. Again, a big Malo ‘aupito from us students,” said ‘Atasa Lātū (student Taoa Government Primary School)

The Eastern Vava’u District Education Officer, Mr, Tu’ihoua Lautaha welcomed the guests at the beginning of the ceremony. Rev. Fetaiaki Moli blessed the new classrooms.

The Officer in Charge for MEIDECC in Vava’u, Mrs. Lucy Fa’anunu presented the overview of the Project. His Excellency Adrian Morrison delivered a speech representing the development partners.

The Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni delivered a speech on behalf of the government of Tonga. The Education Officer in charge for Vava’u and Principal of Vava’u High School, Mrs. ‘Utulamataki Tonga delivered the Vote of thanks.

The World Bank representative in Tonga, Mrs Natalia Palu Lātū; Chief Excecutive Officer for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Ma’u; Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Lord Tu’ilakepa Veisiale Construction representative; the Construction supervisor in Vava’u, Nathan Driscoll; MEIDECC Vava’u representatives; Senior Education Officers; Project Management Unit representative; members of the Clergy; parents; teachers; and students of GPS Taoa were also present to witness this prestigious event.