Pukapuka’s Niua School has reinstated their Prefect Programme after a lapse of 15 years.

Twenty students at Niua School on the island of Pukapuka were invested as prefects earlier this month.

With a roll number of 171, newly appointed principal Poti Maeva said: “Since 2007, this is the first time the Prefect Programme has been implemented again into the school.”

Maeva decided to “bring back” the programme to help shoulder some responsibilities of the teachers in monitoring the school rules and detention times.

One of the teachers, Karanga Taoroba reported she was “surprised” at the quick turn-around of behaviour from the students.

“They are all behaving with pleasing manners,” Taoroba said.

School principal Maeva added: “This positive outcome is an indication of how the students have taken on ownership of their school, this is a great change for our school.”

Instead of a name badge, each parent was given the honour of presenting their child with a certificate of appointment as a prefect.

The occasion was quite emotional, said Maeva, adding it “moved our Member of Parliament Tingika Elikana, and the support from the teachers, PTA and the parents was just amazing”.

New machinery and material to assist with gardening work was also blessed on the day. The function closed with enough food to feed all the students, parents and guests.

The 2022 Niua School Prefects are as follows: Head Boy – Artists Tinga, Head Girl - Kani Dariu, Rebecca Rubena, Tungane Rikini, Kikau Punga, Tearoa Vavetuki, Nazario Ravarua, Kinokimuli Ruarau, Sunrise Vailoa, Potea Tinomana, Amutala Ruarau, Philip Teopenga, Robati William, Manate Ataera, Tokoiva Ruarau, Nganini Ravarua, JB Rubena, Taom Toru, Mairiau Neiao and Shalom Melota.

“Me mawutu, ka taungalulu. Me valetiko la, ka wakayapi” – (Knowledge is the key to success, Ignorance leads to failure).