Govt Investment Brings Better Teaching Experience
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2019 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 22 VOL 10 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ j Fijij FocusDISCIPLINED TOP FIJIAN ENVOY TELLS SERVICES OF EDUCATION REMEMBER FALLEN 6 EMPOWERMENT SAVING 12 DAYLIGHT NOV 10, 2019 COMRADES Govt investment brings better teaching experience Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with Nabukaluka District School students after opening the newly-built teacher’s quarters in Naitasiri. Photo: EMI KOROITANOA EDUCATION EMI KOROITANOA their own well-being, teachers can focus on The Head of Government said an unprece- maritime regions as their facilities –includ- REVOLUTIONtheir work in the classroom,” he said. dented $13.8 million has been allocated to- ing teachers’ quarters – were noticeably HE education revolution in Fiji is on Prime Minister Bainimarama, while open- wards location allowances for primary and shabbier than schools in urban areas,” PM track as the Government continues ing the newly-built teacher’s quarters at secondary teachers in remote areas. Bainimarama said. Tto invest in infrastructure to improve Nabukaluka District School in Naitasiri In the current budget cycle, Fijian Govern- “On top of that, the allowance we paid to not just learning but the teaching experi- recently, said those days of poor working ment has included early childhood educa- remote teachers was much lower than to- ence as well. conditions have been brought to an end by tion (ECE) teachers in the initiative for the day. As a result, life was made unduly dif- This as Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimara- Fijian Government. first time with an allocation of $500,000 for ficult for rural teachers and the top teaching ma opened a series of teachers’ quarters in This new energy, he said, will be felt by their location allowances. talent was often siphoned off to the urban the rural parts of the Central Division over each of the students. Prime Minister Bainimarama said this has schools.” the past few days. “Sometimes, all it takes is that extra push been a big step in the right direction when it The Prime Minister also commissioned With the comfort and security of proper from a motivated teacher to inspire a pas- comes to levelling the playing field in edu- a newly built Early Childhood Education housing, teachers can focus on what mat- sion for maths, sciences, or the arts that cation. (ECE) center at the school and a newly ters most – teaching. stays with a young person for all of their “For decades, that spark of inspiration was built teacher’s quarters at Navuso Primary “Instead of spending time worrying about life.” missing from many schools in rural and School in Naitasiri as well. email: [email protected]; @FijianGovt; Fijian Government; NATIONAL MATTERS visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 INSIDE Govt plans national CALL TO GROW CULTURE OF READING - 15 TOP FIJIAN ENVOY TELLS OF EDUCATION EMPOWERMENT - 12 ID rollout by 2021 AZARIA FAREEN MINISTRY WORKS TO CUT 85PC RICE IMPORTS - 11 IJIAN Government is working closely with the Singapore Cooperation Enter- FIJI SUGAR EXPORT prise in streamlining many government UNDERGOES REBRANDING - 10 F services and expecting to roll out a National Identification Card (ID) by October 2021. QUOTE OF THE WEEK The Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khai- yum highlighted this while opening a regional workshop on the “Use Cases for Digital ID in the Pacific” in Suva recently, where represent- atives from different government and private sector converged to focus on how Pacific is- land countries can realize the transformational Voreqe potential of digital identity. Bainimarama The A-G highlighted that every single Fijian Over the past five will have a National Identification Card which years, Government has will be the only source of ID number and de- tails of all the other identification cards will provided funding of of be incorporated at the back end of the national $224 million towards the ID card. energy sector, in which “We want to make things easier for our peo- Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with participants during the opening of “Use Cases for ple where you don’t have to remember multi- Digital ID in the Pacific” regional workshop in Suva. Photo: AZARIA FAREEN 70 cents of every dollar ple numbers or carry multiple cards with the spent in the sector have introduction of the single ID card,” the A-G “World Bank study has shown that countries “We will examine the role of digital ID as gone directly to rural said. He said this not only becomes the pri- facing devastation with single identification an enabler for digital government services—a mary source of identification but it also helps system in place have people being able to save key building block helping governments tran- electrification. Government to manage the distribution of re- a lot of money after a particular disaster. With sition from manual, paper-based processes to sources. the national identification system in place, the digitalized, online public service delivery,” he Voreqe Bainimarama Fijian Prime Minister “Most Pacific Island countries are vulnerable Indian government was able to enhance finan- said. to climate change - we’ve had cyclone Josie, cial inclusion of up to 75 per cent.” “As we grow the digital economy, and de- NUMBERS Keni, GIta affect Fiji and Cyclone Winston The A-G adds the ID system will be used liver more services over the internet, activi- also affected Tonga - and within 36-hours one- by banks and other stakeholders within the ties and services become cheaper, quicker and third of the value of our GDP (gross domestic economy to provide quick assistance to peo- more convenient. We also increase inclusion $224m product) was reduced by the Category 5 cy- ple in terms of setting up and accessing bank as more people—particularly those living in The amount spent by clone,” he said. accounts and registering businesses. remote regions—get access to services that Government on the “We had our Help for Homes rebuild program World Bank resident representative, Lasse previously were out of reach.” set-up because the devastation was so im- Melgaard said the workshop focuses on the The World Bank is supporting close to 40 energy sector over mense and Government was morally obliged role of digital ID in improving the perfor- countries around the world to implement and the past five years, of to provide people with some sort of funding to mance and integrity of social protection, improve digital identity and civil registration which 70 cents of every rebuild their homes,” he added. health and humanitarian information systems. systems dollar has gone directly to rural electrification. Minister launches prostate cancer awareness TWEET OF THE WEEK AZARIA FAREEN not only for Fiji but the Pacific and the world. INISTER for Health, Minister Waqainabete urges men Dr Ifereimi Waqaina- to attend to regular check-up at Mbete recently launched their nearest health clinics. the month-long awareness for Samuela Saumatua says he was prostate cancer hosted by the diagnosed with prostate cancer Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club five-years-ago and refused to un- at Defence Club in Suva. dergo any surgery to get rid of the A well-deserved accolade for our own Jerry Tuwai. Speaking at the event, Minister disease. We know Jerry is far too humble to Waqainabete said “we are quite “I believe the best way to avoid sing his own praises, but with 18 cup fortunate that we have two urolo- any form of major illness or sur- finals, one Gold medal, and three gist in the country with dedicated gery is to keep a positive mindset World Series titles, he’s not only the urology clinics that look after and look after yourself well,” Mr man of the year in 7s Rugby, he’s one of the greatest players of all prostate cancer and we walk hand Saumatua said. time! in hand with Fiji Cancer Society”. “Cancer is not something I am “I am so pleased that the month totally unaware of as I’ve had sev- CONTACT of October was Pinktober and the Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete during the official launch of the month-long eral relatives who died of cancer Publisher: Deborah Weiss month of November is Movem- awareness for prostate cancer at Defence Club in Suva. including my grandmother and Sub Editor: Prashila Devi Photo: SUPPLIED Manager Vernacular: Viliame Tikotani ber, which allows us the opportu- mother,” he added. Virendra Lal nity to reflect on cancers and the “In our nation we have approxi- man’s life at a time when he can “To all the men, there is noth- North office: Level 3 Macuata House, Labasa West office: Level 1 Ratu Nauliano House, Koroivalu effects of non-communicable dis- mately 30-40 Fijians who have offer the best to his family, com- ing to be ashamed of if you suffer ease as a whole,” he said. prostate cancer every year and munity and the nation, and that is from cancer as it is better to get Contacts: Suva: 3301806 / West: 6700086 / 9905965 Minister Waqainabete says there the youngest person passed away why we need a lot of advocacy treated than to die of embarrass- North: 8811276 / 9905971 is a need to raise awareness as from the disease at the age of 51 and awareness around this dis- ment. Please go and get tested and Fax: 3305139/3304663 [email protected] a nation not only in these two a month ago,” Minister Waqaina- ease,” he added. listen to the doctor because the @FijianGovt months but also beyond because bete said. Dr Waqainabete adds non-com- rate of survival these days is get- Fijian Government visit us at www.fiji.gov.fj cancer is a killer.