Nikao invited onto Small Islands Voice forum

by Tara Carr

Nikao Maori School has become only the second primary school in the world to be invited to participate in UNESCO's Small Islands Voice youth internet forum. This is according to Small Islands Voice national coordinator Bruce Gray who says that Avarua Primary School was the first.

Nikao Maori students will now join Avarua students in communicating and sharing their views on various issues with students from around the world. Gray says that this is a major plus for these form one and two students and a real credit to their Principal Pae Tuteru and teachers Jane Taurarii and Pare Maui.

To assist them in their efforts they were presented with a new computer, CD Writer, printer, scanner, copier and educational CDs. The computer also comes with the Encarta 2003 Encyclopedia to assist students with their research.

Gray says that students are already busy preparing their responses and have now posted their first response on the Small Islands Voice Youth Forum. "The internet and the computer are allowing students to communicate and share knowledge with one another almost instantaneously. That's why it is so important for all Cook Island students and their schools on every island to have internet access to insure that they will not be left behind in the fast changing world of modern technology and communication," says Gray.

Tuteru says, "The desire to learn is there and it is the responsibility of us adults to give our students the necessary educational tools and resources to enable them to successfully compete in today's world."

Teachers Maui and Taurarii add that their students were very excited about being given this opportunity and were most grateful to UNESCO and Bruce and Rosalind Gray for their efforts.

Appreciation was passed on to The Computer Man for their assistance with this project.

Cook Islands News, 15th April, 2003

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