Educational Capacity Building in Fiji

Dear Supporter,

Since GVI began work in Ratu Meli Memorial School in 2011, the kindergarten has been without a classroom and it has been one of GVI’s goals since the project began to assist the school in establishing a suitable classroom environment for the kindergarten. Recently, GVI has successfully worked with the school to establish a kindergarten classroom.

Routine is invaluable to children as it provides the opportunity to repeat, practice and improve upon an activity. Unfortunately, for the past two years, the Nacula kindergarten was held in the village hall. By facilitating the shift to a classroom at Ratu Meli Memorial School, GVI is able to provide a greater level of assistance to the pupils and teacher; therefore, having more of an impact in improving the numeracy and literacy and facilitating the creative and physical development of the 20 kindergarten students.

The education project staff discussed with the kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lusia, how GVI could further assist in enriching the education of the twenty children who attend Nacula Kindergarten. It was decided that the provision of more volunteer time and an increase in resources would enhance the students’ development as would a more structured routine. At the start of 2014, The Ministry of Education assigned only 7 teachers to RMMS, which led to a composite class and left one empty classroom.

GVI project staff and Mrs. Lusia organized meetings with community members from the four villages on Nacula Island, the kindergarten chairman and RMMS school committee members to discuss moving the kindergarten from the village hall to the newly empty classroom at RMMS. At the final meeting, Nacula village elders granted permission for the kindergarten to relocate to RMMS. After successfully securing a space designated solely for the kindergarten , GVI’s education team set to work on developing weekly kindergarten themes such as my family, plants and transport as well as constructing a daily schedule to include arts and crafts, singing, and tooth brushing.

By facilitating the move from the village hall to Ratu Meli Memorial School, GVI has helped make a huge step forwards in improving the education standard of the kindergarten students. Having their own classroom gives the pupils a more consistent routine and allows more time for volunteer involvement. Focusing on the older students, GVI volunteers can help ensure these children are prepared for class 1, which will give them a solid base for their primary education. GVI’s education team will continue providing support to Mrs. Lusia and work towards developing the kindergarten program to promote learning by playing.

Thank you for continuing to support this project.

GVI Fiji

Links:

• http://www.gvi.org