The Asia Pacific Sustainable Development (APSD) rural training centre(RTC) based at Gwaigeo near Fiu village, West Kwara’ae, Malaita province has reopened itsdoors after suspending classes for two years.
Former premier of Malaita province and the principal of the centre Reuben Moli in an interview with Solomon Star at the Centre on Thursday said the centre is now accepting students and will start classes next week.
“This is a training venue for young Solomon Islanders and Malaitans.
“TodayI am happy to inform the nation that APSD is now back in operation after classes were suspended in 2012.”
He said the government wants to see this centreup and running and again.
“So we are happy to restart it,” he said adding that enrolment is now open.
Courses offered are agriculture in the area of organic farming, poultry, piggery, honey,rice farming,carpentry, joinery or furniture, business studies and life skills (home economics).
He said the reopeningof the centrewill benefit a lot of Solomon Islanders and Malaitans.
“This is to give young people the opportunity to come and learn basic knowledge and skills about things that would benefit them in the future.
“With lack of employment opportunities in government and private sectors we need to encourage all Solomon slanders to create employment by themselves and that is one of the main aims of this centre.”
The establishment of the centre is to help young people achieve something for their future through agriculture, life skills and business.
Meanwhile, he revealed that normal classes will commence Monday next week.
“More than 30 students have so far registered and we are expecting an increase in few weeks’ time.”
Because of limited time before this year comes to an end students are paying $300 fee to study for the remaining months.
The centre is expected to start full class next year. And the tuition is expected to increase.
He added that Ministry of Education and Malaita education authority have supported the reopening of the centre.
At the moment most of the students are day scholars while waiting of the completion of renovation work of their dormitories.
A rep from APSD based in Tokyo, Japan Kenji Ito who was at the centre for the reopening said he was happy to see the centre up and running again.
“This will help benefit students to learn basic skills and knowledge that would benefit them in their future life and learn to be self-employed.
“It’s an opportunity and chance for you (students) so make good use of it for the betterment of your life and the country,” he said.
Mr Ito was one of the founding members of the centre since its inception many years ago.
The Fiu based APSD centre was previously under the Malaita province authority and was supported by several Japanese firms until its suspension two years ago.
By STEPHEN DI’ISANGO
In Auki
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Caption:
Some of the registered students during their introductory session at the centre, yesterday.
