New classrooms for Tupou High School, Vaololoa Campus ^Featured

The new building has 2 classrooms. The classrooms have a total area of 100m2 and can accommodate 75 – 90 students. A two-storey classroom building was repaired. This contruction costs TOP844,745.00

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 Minister for MEIDECC, Honourable Poasi Tei reported that, “All constructions are done by local companies. These constructions not only contribute to Tonga’s economy, but also financially benefit many families. The Puloka Construction Limited worked diligently to complete this construction.”

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Adrian Morrison strongly urged the students of Tupou High School Vaololoa, to make the most of the new classrooms, “because if you study hard, if you work hard, you will be rewarded. You will be able to improve your lives and the lives of your families.

You will make a significant contribution to your community and to your country.

Carry yourselves humbly, respect others and be honest in all that you do.”

Her Royal Highness, Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu, stated that the foundation for productive educated youths in all aspects of life, commences at home in the family, then the church, school, community, and the nation. This is lashed together by our Motto: “God and Tonga are my Inheritance.” It is the foundation for teachers to prepare students to become whole physically, intellectually and spiritually; to accept Jesus, repent, and believe in Him – He is the best Teacher.

The General Secretary for the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT), Rev. Dr. Tevita Koloa’ia Havea thanked the Guest of Honour for her emphasis on the importance of education and the church. He thanked the Ministers, for their presence. He expressed his appreciation of the work done by the construction companies and everyone’s support.

The World Bank representative in Tonga, Mrs. Natalia Palu Latu; Minister for Finance and National Planning, Honourable Tevita Lavemaau; Minister of Education and Planning, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni; President of the FWCT schools, Rev. Dr. Mele’ana Puloka; CEO for MEIDECC, Mr, Paula Ma’u; CEO for the Ministry of Education & Planning, Dr. Tangikina Moimoi Steen; Director for NEMO, Mr. Mafua Maka; CSU Programme Manager, Dr. Netatua Prescott Taufatofua; Matani Puloka, representative from the Puloka Construction Limited; Paula Kava and Cardno representatives; Senior Education Officers; Project Management Unit representatives; members of the clergy; town officer; ex-students, principal, parents, teachers, and students of Tupou High School, Vaololoa were also present to witness this prestigous event.

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