Commissioning of new classrooms at the GPS Matahau by Lord Tu'ivakano ^Featured

The new building has three classrooms which costs TOP843,504.37 with a total area of 150m2 and can accommodate 75 – 90 students.

This construction is under the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) project led by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and co-funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government.

The PREP project includes the retrofitting/repairing and reconstructing of school buildings which were damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita that hit Tonga and ‘Eua in February 2018. There are 25 schools in the project; building 33 new buildings and repairing 10. It is a total of more than 110 classrooms in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Vava’u and cost approximately TOP$28 million.

The Town Officer, Leroy Fanguna, welcomed the guests with agreat appreciation. He was deeply grateful for the advice that the Guest of Honour who is also the noble of the Matahau estate, Lord Tu’ivakano, has given them: “People of Matahau, make education a priority, but first seek God’s kingdom and pursue education with diligence.”

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Adrian acknowledged that the Government of Australia is very pleased to support the

resilient project. He stated the educational and economic benefits of the new classrooms: “These new classrooms will be much more conducive for effective learning and their constructions create and boost local economic activites, employment and again it is particularly valuable as the world suffers the economic effects of COVID-19.”

Lord Tu’ivakano commended on the collaborative effort of the participating Ministries and working partners that have enabled the completion of the new classrooms. He encouraged the parents-teachers association; principal, teachers and people of Matahau to continue supporting education as it is the key for a better future.

The Minister for MEIDECC, Honourable Poasi Tei applauded and thanked the Guest of Honour who is also the Noble of Matahau, for his good leadership and hard work that have benefitted the people of Matahau.  He also acknowledged and commended the effort of the Managing Contractor, Cardno and the Puloka Construction: “Thank you Cardno for your persistence.” “To the Puloka Construction, thank you for being resilient and completed the construction despited all challenges.”

The Town Officer, Mr. LeroyFanguna welcomed the guests. The hymn was read by the School Principal, Mr. ‘Ema Veamoi. Rev. Latoa Tongotongo blessed the new classrooms. The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Adrian Morrison delivered a speech representing the development partners. Lord Tu’ivakano delivered the Keynote Address. The Minister for MEIDECC, Poasi Tei, delivered the Vote of thanks.

The World Bank representative to Tonga, Mrs. Natalia Palu Latu; People Representative, Mrs. Losaline Ma’asi; Chief Excecutive Officer for the Ministry of Education and Training, Dr. Tangikina Moimoi Skeen;  Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Ma’u; Mr. Matani Puloka, a representative of the Puloka Construction; Paula Kava and Cardno representatives; Senior Education Officers; Project Management Unit representatives; members of the clergy; town officer; principal, parents, teachers, and students of GPS Matahau were also present to witness this significant event.

The designing and supervision of the construction was done by Cardno, an Australian Company, and constructed by a local contractor, the Puloka Construction.