Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lautoka Adventist High School in Waiyavi, Lautoka, on Monday (December 9).
The $FJ2 million school is expected to open its doors for secondary education in 2026 and will feature a two-storey building with 10 classrooms to accommodate close to 500 students. It will be situated next to the Lautoka Adventist Primary School which was established in 1985.
Mr Rabuka thanked the Church’s contribution towards education in Fiji and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with faith-based organisations and other stakeholders in advancing Fiji’s education sector.
“This groundbreaking ceremony marks significant progress in Fiji’s education sector, promising greater access to quality education for children in Lautoka and the Western region,” he added.
The Fiji Mission in its quinquennium strategic plan had envisioned the establishment of two new high schools—Monday’s event was the fulfillment of one of its goals.
Mission president Pastor Nasoni Lutunaliwa said they are committed to providing “true and valuable Christian education”.
“We have 12 primary schools, and this new school will be the fourth high school to be managed by the Church,” he said.
“This success is through the collaboration of church leaders, the education department of the Church, Lautoka district elders and Adventist members, Lautoka City Council, Ministry of Education and many other stakeholders.
“The presence of the Prime Minister is a testament to the united efforts of both the state and the Church in providing quality education to the nation.”
Mr Rabuka was the first prime minister to have visited any of Fiji Mission’s schools or attended any of the Mission’s events.
It was indeed a historic event for the Church and Pastor Lutunaliwa and local ministers took time to pray over the national leader at the conclusion on the event.
