Jack Nakou (Iavanamita Primary School Chairman)
After being the chairman of the school for 14 years, Jack Nakou is not yet ready to retire. “There is still so much to do that I don’t think I should leave the school yet,” he said. But he has no choice either. “The School Board keep voting me in each year,” he explains, “that is the reason I have been here so long.” This high spirited character feels that education is important “so children can be wise and develop their own ground.” He believes that there is not enough land to cater for the rapidly increasing population so children must attend school to buy their own piece of land and get a job to look after themselves and their families. Jack encourages parents and the rest of his community to assist the school in any way they can. “I often come to the school to help the teachers with the classroom and building development and even with teaching the students traditional knowledge,” he said. If parents don’t come for a reason other than being sick or attending a family gathering, such as funeral and wedding preparations, Jack is quick to fine them 200 vatu (US$ 2). “This money is used to help the school financially. To help the school buy text books, pencils, chalk and other materials,” he said. It is for this reason Iavanamita is one of the few schools that have a very committed community and parents. “We even have a school uniform which shows our commitment to education and we don’t depend on the Government,” he said. Jack is proud of his achievements in all the years he has been chairman. He is pleased that all the fundraising is done by the school board, teachers, parents and community to build and keep Iavanamita Primary School going. Background Jack who was educated up to Class 6, is from Lamkail village which is only a short distance from the school. Apart from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Iavanamita Primary School, he is also a village elder. His position as an elder has enabled him to promote the importance of education and in doing so assisting the teachers and principals in their work. “I encourage all the parents to send their children to school and I make sure the children in my own family attend school.”
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