HOPE IN THE SOIL: Beulah Adventist Primary School Recognized for Integration of Farm Practices with Adventist Education
Beulah Adventist Primary School, in the island kingdom of Tonga, has earned national recognition for its exceptional integration of farm practices with Adventist education. On June 10, 2023, His Majesty King Tupou VI presented Beulah Adventist Primary School with the top school award in the primary and middle school category for its exemplary agricultural learning practices during the prestigious Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, and Trade Show.
Dr. Elisapesi Manson, the education consultant to Adventist Schools in Tonga, graciously accepted the award on behalf of Beulah Adventist Primary School. In expressing her gratitude, she stated, "Receiving this award from the King of Tonga is a humbling moment for us." Dr. Manson commended the school Principal, Mrs. Melefatai Fukofuka, and her dedicated team for their unwavering commitment to aligning the school with the Quality Adventist School Framework (QASF), which has played a pivotal role in achieving this significant milestone.
Over the past three years, Beulah Adventist Primary School faced numerous challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic eruption in 2022, followed by destructive tsunamis. Despite these adversities, the Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, and Trade Shows made a triumphant return this year, providing a platform to showcase the remarkable work of farmers, educators, fishermen, tradesmen, and local businesses. These events also served as an opportunity to honour and acknowledge their resilience and hard work in overcoming the difficulties posed by these natural disasters. Being part of this national event was an immensely rewarding experience for Beulah Adventist Primary School.
Beulah Adventist Primary School embraces the ethos of the Adventist community by emphasizing agricultural learning and its profound impact on character-building. As eloquently stated more than a century ago by an exceptional woman, "The work of the soil is a lesson book, which, if read, will be of the greatest benefit to every student in our school" (White).
Story by - Dr Elisapesi Manson