On the remote Rabi Island in Fiji, Buakonikai Primary School is undergoing a transformation that is reshaping the future of its 115 students.
For the first time in its history, the school is now powered by clean, reliable solar energy and connected to the internet, opening up new learning opportunities for its students.
It’s made possible through an Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership between Its Time Foundation and the Australian Government, through AIFFP’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP).
Six months on from its launch, the new solar system is already delivering considerable impact:
• Clean, reliable electricity to keep the lights on and computers running, improving classroom conditions and student engagement.
• Sustainable and cost-effective power, saving the school over AUD 6,000 annually in fuel costs - money that can now be reinvested in education.
• Internet connectivity, giving students access to a world of knowledge beyond their island.
The impact doesn’t stop at Buakonikai. This school now serves as a blueprint for other off-grid communities in the Pacific, showing how clean energy can improve education outcomes, reduce emissions and enable greater community resilience.
Watch a short film about the partnership.