Indian's education organisation lauded in Fiji

An education organisation established in Fiji by a former Indian indentured labourer in 1926 has earned laurels for its contribution to educational development in the South Pacific island-nation, the media reported on Thursday.

Indian-origin educationist Amraiya Naidu, former permanent secretary of education in Fiji's education ministry, highlighted the achievements of the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam in his public lecture at the University of the South Pacific here.

TISI Sangam, one of the oldest welfare organisations established by Indians in Fiji, has established 22 primary schools, five secondary schools, and the Sangam College of Nursing in Labasa, said Naidu, The Fiji Times reported.

TISI Sangam was established by Kuppu Swamy, who arrived in Fiji in 1912 to serve as an indentured labourer for five years at Tavua town.

Naidu said that school examinations, especially public examinations, were "pivotal to measure what was happening in schools".

He added that when public examinations had been phased out in the country, the Sangam prepared and administered examination papers for subjects taught in its secondary schools.

"TISI Sangam would continue to do this in the future," he said.