WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27, 2021 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 1 VOL 12 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ Fijijj Focus DETERMINATION, MILLER RESILIENCE DRIVE UP NORTH PROUD TO DRIVES OVERWHELMING GIVE BACK FARMER 4-5 12 13 EDUCATION IS TOP PRIORITY Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with children of Tavea Village in Bua during his tour of the Northen Division post Tropical Cyclone Yasa. Photo: NANISE NEIMILA PM tells of bid to leave no Fijian behind NANISE NEIMILA, AZARIA FAREEN let them steal your education or 2021 academic year approaching, “Our Republic of Fiji Military ing your school buildings. Some wreck your great potential. this was message of reassurance Force Engineers, committed schools are already open - all oth- TORMS are becoming With as many as 85 schools in made by Prime Minister Voreqe members of our private sector, stronger, and their costs the Northern Division having sus- Bainimarama as words of encour- along with our friends around the Sare high - but we will never tained structural damage and the agement to all Fijian students. world are hard at work restor- CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 email: [email protected]; @FijianGovt; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj NATIONAL MATTERS phone: 3301806 NSIDE Will to I succeed spurs RAE HELPS WOMEN IN teacher on FLOWER BUSINESS - 13 AZARIA FAREEN CHANDRA HAPPY WITH TC YASA REHAB WORK - 12 UR greatest weakness lies in giving up and the most STUDENTS GRATEFUL FOR certain way to succeed is SCHOOL REPAIRS - 11 O always to try just one more time. This has rung true for 43-year- MINISTER OPENS CLINIC old Rajbindra Singh who recent- FOR RAPE VICTIMS - 10 ly graduated with a Diploma in Counselling Certificate with 34 QUOTE OF THE WEEK other graduates after finishing a Rajbindra Singh (with garland) and his family members with Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar (far left) and Australia’s rigorous two year programme un- Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, Anna Dorney (second from right) during the Australian Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) graduation. der the Australian Pacific Training Photo: AZARIA FAREEN Coalition (APTC) with the Minis- my Master’s in Education as I re- “I am overjoyed that all my hard “I am confident that the counsel- try of Education. ceive my Diploma in Counselling work, patience and dedication has ling training provided by the Aus- Mr Singh hails from Korotari in today.” paid off and I would like to thank tralian Pacific Training Coalition Labasa and after taking up odd “I have a hearing problem but it God foremost for blessing me to will equip our new graduates with Voreqe jobs, he undertook a programme has not deterred me to pursue my grow in my career and the Fijian the necessary knowledge and skill Bainimarama. at Arya Samaj College and the goals and I am grateful that it has Government for providing me with set to identify the signs and symp- On behalf of the Fijian Australian Pacific Training Coali- also not affected my teaching as opportunity to study further.” toms of a traumatized child and to people, I would like to tion (APTC) to become a cultural well,” Mr Singh added. The line Minister, Rosy Akbar initiate a variety of intervention thank the Australian teacher. He said he loves teaching and has congratulated the students for their and prevention methods to deal “I taught cultural studies for five a very jovial relationship with his perseverance and said “today’s with these unpleasant experiences Government and years and I have been teaching students and teachers alike and that graduation of teacher counsellors of the child.” personnel onboard class 4 students at Arya Samaj Pri- he has never stepped back from marks a renewed commitment to a Australia’s Deputy High Com- the HMAS Adelaide mary School since 2010 till date,” things which would contribute to- long-held vision of the Ministry to missioner to Fiji, Anna Dorney, in for the commitment he said. wards him being a good teacher. meet and support the social, spir- addressing the graduates said “you “I had the opportunity to study “I am so happy that I was given itual, emotional and behavioural join the esteemed 15,000-strong and sacrifice, leaving Hindi Counselling at The Fiji the award of a pioneer and pushed well-being of students”. network of APTC Alumni from their families behind College of Advanced Education myself to study to the best of my “We have always recognized that 14 Pacific countries that hold in- during Christmas and and was awarded with a Diploma ability and proved it that disability the child’s social, emotional and ternationally recognized Austral- New Year to assist with in Education Hindi Counselling. does not affect studying because if personal development is para- ian qualifications through training I continued studying and now I someone puts their mind into their mount and can have tremendous provided by APTC”. rebuilding efforts post have a Degree, Post-Grad Certifi- desired goal then they can achieve impacts on their academic success TC Yasa.” cate and I am currently finishing it,” Mr Singh stressed. and their future careers,” she said. Voreqe Bainimarama Prime Minister NUMBERS 239 Fijian police Minister tells of need officers, including 4 from Tuvalu, became the third for festival laws batch of 2019 FELIX LESINAIVALU of the Town and Cities festivals across Fiji. to complete the Basic “There have been numerous complaints Recruits Course last THE reason behind the enactment of the about organising of festivals, which ranges Festival Regulations is due to the public from: lack of accountability of the funds week. outcry on the accountability and trans- raised during the festival and the lack of WEET OF THE WEEK “ T parency of the festivals organised around the transparency in the utilisation of the funds By putting the country.” raised during the festival.” #ClimateEmergency at the Minister for Local Government, Housing The regulations will act as a minimum guide- There have been numerous core of their administration, and Community Development Premila Ku- line to ensure transparency and accountability ‪@JoeBiden and @ mar highlighted this during the Festival Reg- in the management of festivals and to ensure complaints about organising KamalaHarris have more than ulations Framework Workshop at the Suva that proceeds generated from these festivals of festivals, which ranges just a chance to bring America Civic Conference Centre recently. are used properly. from: lack of accountability back into #ParisAgreement. “It is the first time that we will have a na- “Over the years we all have been to the Fes- They can save the planet as tional Festival Regulations for the benefit of tival Ground as a day of outing for the fam- of the funds raised during we know it. From the frontlines the committees, municipal councils and the ily,” Minister Kumar added. the festival and the lack of in Fiji, that commitment can’t community as a whole,” Minister Kumar said. “Festivals are popular annual events that ex- transparency in the utilisation come soon enough. “The reason behind the enactment of the press local pride, play a vital role in national Festival Regulations is due to the public out- cultural development and promote towns and of the funds raised CONTACT cry on the accountability and transparency of cities.” during the festival. the festivals organised around the country.” “Festivals are one of the most effective ways Sub Editor: Prashila Devi Manager Vernacular: Viliame Tikotani The festival committee members, munici- of bringing people together to display their pal councils and special administrators are culture and talent.” North office: Level 3 Macuata House, Labasa West office: Level 1 Ratu Nauliano House, Koroivalu amongst the participants to discuss the need Minister Kumar said festivals are also of for Festival Regulations and the fundamental economic value to the towns and cities where Contacts: Suva: 3301806 / West: 6700086 / 9905965 provisions in the regulations before it is fi- these events are hosted and it provides an Premila Kumar North: 8811276 / 9905971 nalised. opportunity to fundraise for projects, and an Minister for Local Government, Housing Fax: 3305139/3304663 and Community Development [email protected] Minister Kumar added that the Festival Reg- occasion for local and regional businesses to @FijianGovt ulations Framework will serve as a key part of sell their goods and services. Fijian Government visit us at www.fiji.gov.fj the governance arrangements for the conduct 2 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 email: [email protected]; @FijianGovt; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 NATIONAL MATTERS Education is top priority Govt eyes safe, FROM PAGE 1 ers will be as soon as it is safe.” “The twin crises of COVID-19 and climate change effective Covid vaccine have been catastrophic for our people. We cannot say exactly when things will improve. But unlike S COVID-19 vaccinations yaz Sayed-Khaiyum, stressed the need “This pandemic will not end anywhere so many girls and boys around the world whose globally pave the way to a post- for timely access to safe COVID-19 until immunity is achieved everywhere, schools are closed due to the pandemic, our children Apandemic economic recovery, vaccinations for Fiji and the Pacific. and we look forward to working close- are in their classes.” the Fijian Government is pursuing sev- “Tens of millions of doses of viable ly with all of our development partners Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fijian students eral avenues to secure safe and effec- COVID-19 vaccinations have already over the coming months to procure ef- are becoming better and more educated citizens, tive COVID-19 vaccines to ensure Fi- been administered in developed nations fective COVID-19 vaccines, manage and that lets us know we are on the right path; that jians can be safely immunised against ahead of what is shaping up to be this supply chain issues, and coordinate our future will be in good hands.