Micro managing our lives

from w
It seems that these days the Labasa people are being instructed in all sorts of things by the local police. Gossiping is a crime. Leaving children home alone is a crime. And now we are told that it is not the job of schools to teach manners, but parents. Okay it's primarily a parenting role to instill into children good manners, excellent behaviour, ethics and a knowledge of right and wrong, or good, better and best. But to say that schools are only about academic achievement is incorrect. Teachers surely incorporate ethics and the desire for behaviour into their class management and in use of computers, books, sharing resources, respect for adults and fellow students and also in the way the play sport, the way they behave in the buses and so on. I do agree though that there are times when parents do put priorities a bit askew - running errands by the children is considered more important than doing homework, choir practice comes before talking with your teenagers about how they feel about life etc.

From the Fiji media I read this:

Better parents and teachers
Fred Wesley
Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Villagers of Naqai outside Labasa Town were given an important message late last week.

They were told teachers are not responsible for imparting ethical behaviour and discipline to children. That responsibility, they were reminded, fell on the shoulders of parents.

It was all part of a residential community policing program by police in the northern division.

The school, they were told, was not an institution for imparting ethical behaviour, proper manners and conduct but instead it was only meant for preparing children to be academically stable.

Under the new Crimes Decree, they were reminded that parents could be charged with negligence if children complained about being left home alone.

Villagers were told some children did not perform well at school because of parental negligence. They were told that some parents had developed a habit of leaving their children alone at home.

In another part of Labasa, financial constraint was cited as a major cause for children drop-outs.

Fiji Teachers Union general secretary Agni Deo Singh said studies revealed that 48 per cent of students did not complete high school education while 2 per cent failed to reach Class Six. He was speaking at the opening of the new FTU office in Labasa at the weekend.

Students living in rural areas, villages, and outer islands, he said, usually dropped out because of a lack of financial support.

The two issues share one common factor. They both affect our children and how we educate them.

Obviously there will be differing views on the importance of parental guidance and lessons learnt from teachers.

It is not hard though to accept that both can play important roles in nurturing children.

While parents have a responsibility to provide the basic necessities for children, there's no doubt about the fact that a great teacher can make a difference in a student's achievements. It thus important that we recruit, train and reward such teachers.

The bottom line is we need better parents.

Parents who are focused on their children's education can also make a difference.

Ideally, as parents, we should be monitoring homework; making sure children get to school; rewarding their efforts and talking up the idea of furthering their education. Let us, as parents, get involved with our children's learning.

Better parents can help make teachers more effective. Better parents will also set priorities that place their children on a very high pedestal.

Hard working student

from w
Many students in Fiji work really hard to achieve good results and congratulations to those who do very well. The motivation to look into the future for a good job is there for some, but alas, not all boys and girls. (I've been reading my grand-daughter's school reports and am delighted that her teacher has given her an 'excellent' for many aspects of her studies as well as in social skills. It was good to read a report that gives weight to aspects of social behaviour/interaction with other students, etc. as well as test results for English, Maths, etc.) Best wishes to Fiji's students who are now taking a break from their studies - have a good holiday!
North land lease loss spurs dux

writer : SHRATIKA NAIDU
12/3/2011

Being a victim of land eviction 11 years ago was the motivation behind 18-year-old Atinesh Prasad’s success in school this year. Mr Prasad scooped the Best Science Dux Award at the Labasa Sangam College prizegiving ceremony on Wednesday. The memory of his family losing out after their sugarcane farm lease in Labasa was not renewed was still fresh in his mind.

His parents had to start afresh to provide for him and his siblings. All the struggles faced over the years challenged Mr Prasad to work hard in school to fulfill his parent’s dream.

“My family dreams of establishing a construction company in Labasa and I want to be part of it,” Mr Prasad said. He said that was one of the reasons he studied diligently to achieve his dream to become a civil engineer. “My father is a carpenter, my elder brother is a primary school teacher and an electrician, my second eldest brother is a school teacher and a plumber and my brother after him is a joiner,” Mr Prasad said.

The youngest of four siblings believes that knowledge and construction skills run in the family. “I have seen my brothers working very hard to make my parents dream come true. I also desperately want to do my share of work,” Mr Prasad said.

The Namara, Labasa, lad hopes he will get a Government scholarship to purse civil engineering studies at Fiji National University next year. He scored 327 out of 400 marks in the annual examination. He was also given a special award from the school for scoring the highest marks in introduction to technology, best designer in technology, deputy head boy, national winner of 2011 SPICTEX LEGO Robotics competition, first prize in Form 702 and overall third position in the national titration competition.

Never too old to go to school

from w
There's a movie on at present set in Africa with an old grandpa going to school, someone told us. And in Fiji you don't have to finish high school at eighteen or nineteen any more. Here's a nice heart-warming story of a young father going back to school in Labasa. From the Fiji Sun - a newspaper that does some stories well, other stories, okay, a bit of a spin.

Father of 3 is Dux

writer : SHRATIKA NAIDU
11/1/2011
Who says that a drop-out student cannot return to school to complete secondary school education? Father of three, Jiuwa Tawake, 25, of Yacata Island in Cakaudrove, was yesterday awarded the Dux of Labasa Arya Secondary School.

Mr Tawake returned to complete his education after seven years.

He is the eldest of five siblings. He dropped out of Sigatoka Methodist Secondary School in the west of Fiji after failing Fiji School Leaving Certificate examination. He returned to his island, got married and worked on the farm to support his family.

However, he still wasn’t satisfied with life on the island, knowing that he is capable of succeeding in school if he puts his mind and heart to it. After hearing on the news that the Ministry of Education has allowed school dropouts to resume studies despite their age limits, Mr Tawake took it as a challenge. After seven years, he returned to Labasa and enrolled at Labasa Arya Secondary School to complete his Form Six and Seven studies.

Holding onto the Dux Award during the annual prizegiving, Mr Tawake said he was the happiest man in the world.

“I did not imagine in life that I would be able to complete my secondary school education,” Mr Tawake said. Dressed neatly in his school uniform and holding onto his son on his lap during the awards, Mr Tawake said it was through family support and love of God that enabled him to succeed.

“During these seven years, I faced a lot of challenges but one thing I have learned in life is that getting educated is very important.” He said while working under the hot sun on his farm, he used to cry at times and humbly pleaded to God to give him another chance to study. “I will prove what I’m worth,” Mr Tawake said was among lines of his prayers.

He studied day and night and worked hard during weekends to support his family.

Mr Tawake was chosen among the 13 Form Seven students to get the Dux Award. He scored 309 out of 400 in his annual examination.

“I thank my school teachers for their support and my colleagues for treating me just like their own family member,” Mr Tawake said. He wants to become a secondary school teacher and hopes to get a scholarship to study at the Fiji National University next year.

Chief guest at the prizegiving day Ministry of Education director of Secondary Education Basundra Kumar. He commended the school for giving opportunities to school dropouts. “Such kinds of initiative is in line with the People’s Charter Pillar number nine which highlights the need of having a knowledge-based society,” Mrs Kumar said. She said everyone had the right to education regardless of age, colour and race.

Labasa children

from w
Good to read about the children of Labasa being involved in an inter-school competition. But of course IQ tests are usually culturally geared or a memory test rather than intelligence per se.

Holy Family wins quiz

writer : SHRATIKA NAIDU

10/20/2011
Holy Family Primary School (HFPS) in Labasa is the champion of the Macuata/Bua Head Teachers Association Primary School Zone Four Quiz competition. HFPS, Saint Mary’s Primary School, Bethel Primary School, Muslim Primary School and Shree Gurunanak Primary School competed in the competition.

Shree Gurunanak Khalsa Primary was the first runner-up.

Quiz co-ordinator Sushil Narayan said this was the first time they organised the competition. “This new initiative was implemented by the Ministry of Education,” Mr Narayan said. He said such new plan by the ministry had opened doors of opportunity for students from Classes One to Eight to develop their Intelligent Quotient (IQ). “Such competition will also create awareness among children and encourage them to prepare for the national IQ Active competition when they are in secondary school,” Mr Narayan said. He said such development would help students gain exposure and confidence. “There are eight zones in Macuata participating in this competition,” Mr Narayan said. Holy Family and Saint Mary’s will compete with other zonal winners to decide the Macuata champion.

Five students from each school participated in the competition and they were tested on school curriculum, general knowledge, current affairs, sports, music and arts.

Naseakula District School bazaar

from w
Peceli's old school was fairly new when he was there. Seems like the Labasa schools are into fund-raising at present - last week St Mary's and this week Naseakula. (I think the word 'developments' ought to be 'development'. Doesn't need an 's'! I really think the Fiji media are scratching for stories as they can't publish stuff about Fiji that we read on the overseas papers and TV - e.g. about one highly intellectual Labasa born gentleman! Of course the overseas media hype it all up a bit with old picture grabs that are years old!

Nasekula School raises funds for developments
11/6/2009
A Labasa school is working hard to instill into their students the importance of learning vernacular. Yesterday, the Nasekula District School organised a fundraising drive in its mission to promote the vernacular curriculum, build a sheltered corridor and cement the school driveway.

Head teacher Letila Mataitoga said that this is the first time that the school bazaar is held at the chiefly village of Nasekula. “There are five stalls and each stall has been told to raise $2000,” said Mrs. Mataitoga.

“It will be a three-day event and the students will provide entertainment.

“The items will be performed every evening and during the day games will be held.”

Nasekula Village is the home of the Tui Labasa Adi Salanieta Tuilomaloma. Also it is where the late local media legend Ratu Stan Ritova, former parliamentarian Ratu Josefa Dimuri, former national rugby sevens star Jope Tuikabe and former national rugby loose forward Emosi Tatawaqa hails from.

The Nasekula District School bazaar is sponsored by the Labasa Tikina Holdings who had donated $10,000.

“We are doing this to ensure quality education for the all the children, this would be achieved through the joint efforts of all stakeholders,” Mrs Mataitoga explained. “The vision is that children should acquire a firm foundation of basic competencies that will help them cope with the demands and challenges of living in a multicultural Fiji.”

The school which was established in 1940 has a mission to provide, promote and facilitate excellence in the curriculum and in the teaching and learning all the subjects offered at our school.

Schools in Labasa area

St Mary's Primary School in Labasa.
from w
Following on from the previous post about the interim government proposing that schools change their names to leave out ethnic or cultural identifications, here is a list of the current names of schools in the Labasa area.

All Saints Secondary School, Labasa
Bulileka Secondary School, Bulileka, Labasa
Labasa Arya Secondary School, Nakama Rd, Labasa
Labasa College, Labasa
Labasa Muslim School, Wailevu, Labasa
Nabala Junior Secondary School, Naduri Rd, Labasa
Nadogo Secondary School, Nadogo, Labasa
Naikavaki Secondary School, Hospital Rd, Labasa
Shiri Guru Nanak Khalsa Secondary Sch, Korotari Rd, Labasa
Solevu Junior Secondary School, Bua, Labasa
Valebasoga Secondary Sch, Valebasoga Rd, Labasa
Vunimoli Junior Secondary School, Vunimoli Rd, Labasa
Waiqele Secondary School, Waiqele, Labasa
Bocalevu Muslim Primary School, Bocalevu, Labasa
Holy Family Primary School, Labasa
Holy Family Secondary School, Sarwan Singh St Labasa, Suva
Korowiri Tovata Primary School, Korowiri Rd, Labasa
Labasa Primary School, FSC Hill, Labasa
Batirilagi District School, Seaqaqa, Labasa
Boubale Indian School, Lot 20 Boubale Rd, Labasa
Daku Bhartiya School, Daku, Labasa
Guru Nanak Khalsa Primary School, Labasa
Korotari Arya School, Korotari, Labasa
Kubulau District School, Kubulau Bua, Labasa
Mali District School, Mali Dist, Labasa
Naduri District Schoo, Naduri Rd, Labasa
Nasekula District School, Delailabasa, Labasa
Natewa District School, Natewa, Labasa
Nabekavu Primary School, Nabekavu, Labasa
Namau Primary School, Namau, Labasa
Qawa Primary School, Vunivau, Labasa
Seaqaqa Muslim Primary School, Natua Rd, Labasa
Solove Primary School, Navidamu Rd, Labasa
Waidamudamu Sanatan Dharam Primary Sch, Korotari, Labasa
St Augustine'S Government School, Bulileka, Labasa
Tabia Sanatan Dharam School, Tabia, Labasa
Valebasoga Public School, Valebasoga, Labasa
Vudibasoga Catholic School, Korovuli Rd, Labasa
Vunicuicui Sanatan Dharam School, Vunicuicui Rd, Labasa
Vunimoli Islamia School, Vunimoli Rd, Labasa
Vuya District School, Hospital Rd, Labasa

Good on you, All Saints

from w
One of the best schools in Labasa is All Saints Secondary College, a high school started by the Anglican church. They have a good program in checking the environmental damage to the Qawa River and now they have another project.

from Fiji Times today:
Saints on litter marchTHERESA RALOGAIVAU
Thursday, July 31, 2008

OVERWHELMED by litter problems a secondary school in the Northern Division made sweeping changes and employed' environmental monitors who have made inroads in solving litter issues. The 12 environmental monitors at All Saints Secondary School have succeeded thus far in keeping the school litter free.

School principal Kaliote Mackenzie said at one stage plastics and other forms of paper rubbish littered the vast school compound, an unpleasant sight to see. "We told the students again and again to use rubbish bins but that did not make any difference. It seemed all good advice fell on deaf ears. We decided it was time to be a bit tougher," Mrs Mckenzie said. "After the environmental monitors were appointed, we have observed major changes. The students are just careful about dropping any rubbish."

When the second school term began 12 students from forms 3 up to form 7 level were appointed and were invested with the authority to charge' those students caught littering within the school compound. Yellow scarves tied around the monitor's shirt collars distinguished them from the rest of the student population. Student monitors were also an initiative of the Live and Learn program which the school is a part of and coordinator Amit Maharaj said a student caught littering was fined $1.

"So the monitors, with their yellow scarves are a walking warning to other students that they could get into trouble if they littered. Students rethink their desire to litter when they see the monitors around," Mr Maharaj said. "The monitors move around during the recess and lunch hour break with their note books in which they write the names of the students who litter. These students must pay their fines. But their surveillance is not limited to the school compounds. They also monitor littering in classrooms," he added.

Another school teacher Mr Ram Lingam said in the beginning, monitors would be often challenged. "Students would refuse to pay their fines or even dare the monitors by dropping rubbish in front of them. Sometimes they'd even be verbally abusive to the monitors but over time this has changed along with their attitudes about keeping the environment clean," Mr Lingam said. "Now there is hardly any reminder during school assemblies about keeping the environment clean. Students know that littering is wrong and in the process have been subtly educated or instilled with good attitudes towards their environment."

As an incentive to motivate students to keep their environment clean, the cleanest classroom would be awarded a prize. Penalties collected is directed towards funding another school environment project which is monitoring pollution levels at the Qawa River on the banks of which the school is located.

St Mary's Primary School

from Peceli
The day I visited St Mary's Primary School in Labasa town there was a group of young people from overseas who came to teach First Aid to the students. They were teaching the boys and girls about bones and muscles. They visited several schools in the Labasa area. They came a year ago also. A nice morning tea was prepared for the visiting team. The Principal is in the blue shirt in the photo of the morning tea and Father Petueli on the right.

Response to Labasa floods with a container

from w
The floods were in February but it has taken an involved process to get a container of donated goods from Geelong, Australia, to the schools in Labasa. Hopefully the container sent from Rotary Donation in Kind International will reach Macuata by tomorrow morning. The goods will go mainly to schools where there was severe flood damage such as Holy Family Primary School (coloured picture) and Guru Nanak Primary School,(black and white picture) both in Labasa township area which is low-lying and flood-prone.