As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, real change is happening in remote communities across Fiji, where women are leading the way in renewable energy and young girls are being given new opportunities to learn.
On Rabi Island, where power was once unreliable and access to education was limited, a new solar energy system is transforming the way students – especially girls – experience learning.
This has been made possible thanks to the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), via an Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership with Its Time Foundation.
The two-year partnership, Piloting a sustainable solar energy model for Fiji’s remote school communities , will see the design and development of an effective model of monitoring and maintenance for solar energy systems within remote Fijian school communities, starting with Buakonikai Primary School on Rabi. Due to this project, Buakonikai Primary School now has a reliable, solar-powered energy system.
For years, the school’s four female teachers struggled with the lack of electricity. With 101 students relying on them, simple tasks like printing worksheets, sending emails or accessing the internet were nearly impossible. Students relied on outdated textbooks, teachers struggled to prepare teaching materials and digital learning was simply out of reach.
Now, with solar power in place, students have access to modern education tools for the first time. The Headteacher of Buakonikai Primary School, Mrs Katarina Tubekoro, said the provision of lights has enabled internet access for students, providing a new digital learning experience.
"Before, our students had to imagine what the world looked like. Now, they can see it. We can show them real-life science experiments, documentaries, and lessons that make learning exciting.
"Rural and remote maritime schools like Buakonikai have their own set of challenges. Rabi is such an isolated part of Fiji, sometimes it feels like another country on its own. Now these students can see the world, and not be left behind," Mrs Tubekoro says.
For Buakonikai Primary School teacher Mrs Margaret Corrie, originally from Rabi, this change is personal.
"Science was one of the hardest subjects to teach without textbooks. Now, with smart TVs and internet access, students can see what they’re learning. Their curiosity has grown, and so has their understanding.
"As I am from Rabi, this change is special to me, I did not have access to lights or electricity growing up, but the kids I teach including my own children now do thanks to this project," she adds.
The impact of the project goes beyond the classroom. Many students, who come from homes without electricity, now stay at school after dark to study under solar-powered lights.
"The first time they saw a digital TV, they were amazed. Now, they don’t want to leave school because they’re so eager to learn," Mrs Corrie adds.
But this shift in education wouldn’t be possible without the women working behind the scenes like Ms Vasiti Talakubu, who are bringing power to rural and maritime communities and inspiring the next generation of women and girls to follow in her footsteps.
Ms Talakubu is a licensed electrician specialising in solar and renewable energy. For over a decade, she has been installing solar systems in remote villages across Fiji, working with Its Time Foundation to bring clean energy to schools, homes and businesses.
"I grew up watching most of the girls in my class become teachers or nurses, but I wanted to do something different. I wanted to prove that women belong in this field too," Ms Talakubu says.
Her work has been life-changing for communities like Rabi, where she helped to install the very system now powering Buakonikai Primary School.
"The best part of my job is seeing the reaction when we turn on the lights for the first time. The kids even call me ‘Solar’ because I bring power to their homes and schools," she shares.
But for Ms Talakubu, the mission goes beyond installations. She wants to inspire other women to take up careers in science and engineering.
"I wear my high-vis vest with pride because I want young girls to see that they can do this too. When they see me working, they realise that this isn’t just a job for men. They can be electricians, engineers, or anything they set their minds to."
The AIFFP, through PCIFP, has committed AUD 75 million to renewable energy projects across the Pacific, ensuring that schools, businesses and households have sustainable, long-term access to power. These projects don’t just provide electricity, they create opportunities, particularly for women and girls.
By supporting renewable energy, the Australian Government is helping to ensure that young girls in remote communities have the tools they need to succeed. Education is no longer limited by daylight hours, and teachers can now use digital resources to bring lessons to life.
For the teachers of Buakonikai, this is more than just a solar installation – it is the key to a better future for their students.
"Rabi has always felt isolated, but now our students can see beyond our shores. They are no longer just hearing about the world, they are experiencing it,” Mrs Tubekoro says.
"You haven’t just given us power, you’ve given our students the chance to dream bigger, to learn more, and to create a brighter future."
And for Ms Talakubu, every installation is a step toward breaking gender barriers in science and technology.
"I want to show young girls that they can work in these industries too. Whether it’s installing solar panels or teaching others, there’s a place for women in this field. The more of us who step up, the stronger our communities become."
Stories like Buakonikai Primary School and the women bringing power to the Pacific are reminders of the value of investing in women. With every solar panel installed and every classroom powered, women are lighting the way for future generations.
The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are part of the Australian Government’s PCIFP initiative to expand the AIFFP’s climate infrastructure investments. It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform.
On Rabi Island, where power was once unreliable and access to education was limited, a new solar energy system supported by the AIFFP via PCIFP is transforming the way students – especially girls – experience learning.
This initiative has been made possible thanks to the PCIFP, through the AIFFP, via an Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership with Its Time Foundation
The school’s four female teachers can now introduce their students to a new world of digital learning.