CAPTION: The Minister for Education Ambassador Filipe Bole, Senior Officials of the Ministry of Education and School Administrators with the Girls who will occupy the Hostel.
1. MINISTER OPENS NEW GIRL’S HOSTEL IN HISTORIC TOWN– Minister of Education Filipe Bole yesterday opened the Levuka Public Secondary School’s new girl’s hostel, bringing relief to parents of 24 girls.
2. BUCA FARMERS TO TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES– Proactive measures by Ministry of Agriculture and Biosecurity of Fiji (BAF) officials in Buca village, Cakaudrove will help save millions of dollars for the North dalo industry.
3. NFA FIRE INVESTIGATION BOOST– The National Fire Authority (NFA) yesterday received the new version of the Fire Investigation Scene Folders from Australia.
1. MINISTER OPENS NEW GIRL’S HOSTEL IN HISTORIC TOWN
Minister of Education Filipe Bole yesterday opened the Levuka Public Secondary School’s new girl’s hostel, bringing relief to parents of 24 girls.
While opening the new facility, Mr Bole said the students who were facing difficulties to attend school can now focus on their studies, achieve highest mark possible and make their parents and community proud.
Some of the parents said that they had been finding it difficult to send their children to school because of irregular bus service so the construction of the hostel was timely.
Mr Bole said, “The cost of constructing a new hostel was about $300,000. It features twelve cubicles, with a double bunk in each and other improved boarding facilities to accommodate the girls.”
Principal of Levuka Public, Mrs Tuimanono said the hostel provision encouraged students to be punctual to school and reduce the absenteeism rate.
Vice Principal Mrs Vadei added that the hostel will also help accommodate students travelling from the islands particularly Lomaiviti group, Motoriki, Batiki and Nairai.
Mr Bole acknowledged the partnership of the private sector and individuals who made the renovations possible and asked students to take great care of the new facilities.
The girl’s hostel was initially destroyed by a fire in February last year and the boy’s hostel, dining hall and kitchen will also be constructed by the end of the year.
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2. BUCA FARMERS TO TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES
Proactive measures by Ministry of Agriculture and Biosecurity of Fiji (BAF) officials in Buca village, Cakaudrove will help save millions of dollars for the North dalo industry.
Officials from these two government entities joined efforts this week to consult farmers on the steps required to restrict the movement of dalo planting materials from infested areas
Agricultural research officer for Plant Protection, Mr Anare Caucau said a survey was conducted recently in Buca where a dalo beetle was found on a banana plant, which is also a host plant for this beetle.
“We do not want its population to grow so we are taking the necessary steps now,” said Mr Caucau.
“We conducted a survey last month and sampling began at taro plantations near the village before we work up towards the hilly interior.”
Mr Caucau told Buca villagers that the dalo beetle population could increase if no stringent measures were put in place.
“BAF has been working in close collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry in creating more awareness for farmers in extensive dalo growing areas and is stressing the need for farmers to stop transferring dalo planting materials from one place to another,” Mr Caucau said.
A demonstration plot will soon be set up in Buca whereby recommended insecticides will be sprayed around the dalo plant to create a barrier and ensure the beetle does not enter dalo plants.
Dalo beetle is a major horticultural pest, as it affects the dalo export industry in Fiji. The past few years has seen dalo earning the Fijian economy close to $20million per annum.
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3. NFA FIRE INVESTIGATION BOOST
The National Fire Authority (NFA) yesterday received the new version of the Fire Investigation Scene Folders from Australia.
20 copies of the Fire Investigation Scene Folders was donated by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) of Melbourne, Australia after discussions with NFA on improving standards of fire investigation in Fiji.
NFA chief executive officer Mr John O’Connor said the Fire Investigation Scene Folders will further uplift their fire investigation skill levels.
“The new look Fire Investigation Scene Folders has an updated checklist which contains practical points to assist fire investigators in structural, vehicle and bush fire incidents,” Mr O’Connor said.
He added Fire Investigation Folders are essential equipment for investigators to aid them in conducting comprehensive investigations.
“The nature of fires are becoming more complicated and it is important that NFA continues to upgrade the competency of the fire investigators to keep abreast with rapid developments in fire behaviors,” Mr O’Connor said.
The new version of the Fire Investigation Scene Folders contain the following items:
– Photographic ruler
– Drawing tool
– Pen
– Business card holder
– Evidence labels
– Evidence transfer forms
– Relevant fire investigation policy procedures
– Fire investigation report templates for structural, vehicle and bush fires
These manuals will be distributed to all fire station to assist each fire investigator in the conduct of fire investigation in their respective stations.
The current NFA fire investigator and acting chief fire officer will be conducting a training on these manuals before it is released to the stations.
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