Buakonikai Primary School in Rabi Gets Solar Power and Starlink Internet

Students and teachers at Buakonikai Primary School on Rabi Island now have access to reliable electricity and internet, thanks to a new solar power system and Starlink satellite connection provided by the Australian Government, the Ministry of Education, and Its Time Foundation.

The Australian High Commission says the new partnership aims to create a model for monitoring and maintaining the solar energy system at Buakonikai, which could be used in other schools across Fiji in the future.

This project is part of the Vuvale Partnership, a renewed agreement between Australia and Fiji to address climate change and build stronger, more climate-resilient communities.

The initiative was funded through Australia's Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), which is a AUD350 million investment to improve climate infrastructure in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Katarina Tubekoro, Head Teacher of Buakonikai Primary School, expressed excitement over the changes, saying that the students now have more opportunities to reach their full potential with better access to electricity and the internet.

Louise Scott, the Australian High Commission’s Counsellor for Infrastructure and Climate Resilience, stated that the new solar system would have a positive impact on students' learning by providing sustainable, renewable energy to power lights, computers, and internet connections.

Rob Edwards OAM, Founder of Its Time Foundation, shared that in just six months, they’ve made significant progress by helping students in remote communities access the tools for modern education, which increasingly depend on computers and digital resources.

He added that they are committed to developing a sustainable maintenance and funding model to ensure these systems continue to work for years to come.

This project marks the 30th solar system installation in remote schools across Fiji by Its Time Foundation, helping students in rural areas connect to the modern world.