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From Determination to Transformation

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Marib Integrated Christian School is situated within ward 28 of Karkar LLG in Sumkar District of Madang province. The school proudly stands as a beacon of early learning, catering to young minds in their formative stages.

The genesis of this school revolves around the remarkable tale of Jacob Malau, a venerable figure hailing from Marib village. Fueled by a profound sense of duty, Jacob embarked on a mission to address the pressing educational needs of not only his village but also the neighboring communities.

In the words of Emma Malau, Jacob’s daughter, the daily journey to acquire knowledge is an arduous one for the local pupils. Every morning, these determined students embark on lengthy treks to school and back, enduring a tiresome routine that ultimately takes a toll on their enthusiasm for learning.

Emma Malau on her fathers (Jacob Malau’s) determination.

Emma Malau further elucidates that the initial fervor to attend school wanes as the academic year unfolds, dampening the students’ spirits due to the sheer distance they have to traverse. The consequences of this predicament are far-reaching, casting a shadow over the educational prospects of many young children.

A dearth of formal education leaves a void that is increasingly filled by negative forces, fostering an upsurge in criminal activities and law enforcement challenges within the community.

Undeterred by the scarcity of resources, limited knowledge capacity, and financial constraints, Jacob Malau summoned the collective strength of the community. In 2018, a transformative endeavor was realized – the establishment of Marib Integrated Christian School. The fruits of Jacob’s labor were borne out of his resolute determination to make a difference.

Currently, the school’s halls resonate with the joyous echoes of over a hundred students, aged 3 to 9, who have been embraced by its early learning program. A core focus of this curriculum revolves around the fundamentals of phonics, empowering young learners with the ability to decipher sounds, letters, and the art of reading and writing.

Jacob Malau’s journey exemplifies the power of an individual’s vision and determination to sculpt a brighter future for his community. Marib Integrated Christian School now stands as a testament to the transformative impact that one person’s dedication can have on the educational landscape. However, Jacob encounters several challenges in his endeavor.

The classrooms where students gather remain incomplete, resembling open spaces furnished with only a handful of desks and a blackboard – the essentials for facilitating learning. One pressing issue is the absence of adequate fencing to enclose the school premises. This lack of boundary poses a security concern and adds to the array of challenges the school faces. Furthermore, the dedicated team of four educators and two assistants who work tirelessly to nurture the students’ growth are not compensated for their efforts.
Jacob takes it upon himself to support these instructors and helpers through community-driven fundraisers, reflecting his commitment to the cause.

Nevertheless, the road ahead is not without its obstacles. One pivotal hurdle is the need for the school to be formally registered, a crucial step in gaining recognition from the education department. Jacob envisions a brighter future for the school, one where it stands as a legitimate and acknowledged institution.

In a heartfelt plea, Jacob’s daughter, Emma, advocates on her father’s behalf. She earnestly appeals to donors, NGOs, churches, and even governmental bodies to extend their helping hand. The objective is clear: to fortify the school’s foundations, ensure fair compensation for the dedicated staff, and ultimately secure the recognition that the school rightfully deserves.

Currently, Emma is engrossed in a two-week training program focused on participatory community journalism, hosted at Alexishafen. Her purpose in undertaking this training is to contribute her newfound knowledge toward tackling some of the obstacles that Marib Integrated Christian School encounters. The training’s core objective is to foster endogenous development within the community.
As part of this initiative, a group of 30 participants hailing from diverse backgrounds such as Community Based Organizations, civil society groups, and church associations within Sumkar District are benefiting from the training’s insights.

During the initial week of the program, participants were equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to establish their own community-based organizations. Guided by the 4-P communication strategic plan, they also delved into the realm of utilizing Android phones as tools to capture stories on film.
Armed with these newfound skills, participants are poised to chronicle the endeavors and initiatives unfolding within their communities. This documentation prowess serves a dual purpose: it aids in generating a comprehensive record of community efforts, and it facilitates the creation of compelling proposals tailored for small grants from potential donors. These grants, in turn, will be channeled into funding small-scale community projects that cater to the distinct needs of each respective community.

An important note is that this intensive two-week training initiative has been made possible through the support of the Lukautim Graun Program, underscoring the significance of collective efforts and external backing in driving positive change at the grassroots level.

Other Stories: https://insidepng.com/safeguarding-leatherback-turtles-in-papua-new-guinea-a-cultural-and-environmental-endeavor/

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Education

Gerehu Primary in Dire Straits

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Gerehu Primary Grade 8 Students and Teachers

The lack of maintenance and construction of new infrastructure in public schools in Port Moresby is starting to take its toll. Gerehu Primary School is one of the oldest schools in the country and is seemingly in dire straits and falling apart.

The dry arid atmosphere does not help with the outlook of the school. It is made even worse with the graffiti and slow deterioration of infrastructure evident of a struggling Government run school in the nations capital. A scene all too familiar for most public primary schools in the city of Port Moresby.

Gerehu primary has about 3,000 plus students, and 55 teachers but limited teaching resources and office equipment for printing and photocopying.

The school is basically in a slow downward spiral, and some parents have had enough of the situation and are going out of their way to become the solution. The Parents and Citizens (P&C Representatives) are leading the way to help improve the schools academic status and are rallying support to improve the overall outlook of the school.

The school has been struggling to maintain a higher level of teaching and learning especially with the grade 8 students of the school. According to results from last year only 30 percent of the total number of grade eight students from the school made it into grade nine.

On Saturday last week grade 8 students, their teachers, including a handful of parents participated in a walkathon to raise money for the school. They look to make K20,000 from the sponsor sheet papers given to students and parents. The money raised will be for the purchase of office equipment and also to aid with remedial and extra classes for the grade 8 students.

Smith Yamanavan is a parent and former student of Gerehu Primary. He and two other parents, Rodney Wasman and Decosta Dindillo, took lead of the walkathon and have formed a core group to effect some change to the schools status quo.

The three parents that are leading the Parents and Citizens (P&C) Rodney Wasman, Decosta Dindillo, Smith Yamanavan,

Its appalling graffiti lining the walls of the classrooms, rubbish piling up and close to nothing in terms of toilet and wash facilities, there is only one functioning toilet that wreaks and all the walls are dirty, even the sinks and bowls. It’s disgusting to say the least and students are forced to drink water from these very unhygienic facilities. Boys sometimes run to the open field to relieve themselves.

Gerehu Primary was established in the 1960’s Under the Australian Government as an international community school which provided education for many Australian Children, this was before it was handed over to the PNG Government.

It probably looked decent back then but these days it is a worrying site for students and parents seeing the state of the school. Even the Deputy Headmaster of the school, Mr Stanley Tonny, says they cannot afford the extra money needed to fix the school.

He added that they fully support the Parents and Citizens (P&C). The Tuition fee free (TFF) subsidies which the school gets is not enough to do major maintenance work for the school. Despite efforts to seek partners to improve the school by the administration their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Whilst teaching and learning is paramount, the socioeconomic factors of income and housing is deeply affecting the teachers. Some of the old buildings and classrooms are being used as accommodation by some teachers. While students learn during the day the teachers tuck in for the night in the classrooms.

The Parents have taken up the cause to make it their business to know why the administration of the school is incompetent in improving the schools appalling status.

Related: https://insidepng.com/gerehu-secondary-school-alumni-partner-with-school-for-future-projects/

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Education

Perseverance to Improve Education

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Herman Namora, 21, is a 3rd-year student studying Literature at the University of Papua New Guinea. He is from Madang and is passionate about the importance of education.

Having made it thus far to the highest learning institution prompted him to help those less fortunate.  He was concerned about so many Grade 8 and 10 school leavers pushed out of the education system with no hope of advancing their career paths and returning to the village where social issues impacted their way of life.

His concerns started back in 2019 after completing Grade 12. He had returned to the village during the holidays to find out that one primary school had enrolled 60 Grade 8 students only to pass out 13 while 47 were back in the village.

 This scenario experienced in most rural schools persuaded Herman to do a survey with primary school teachers. The teachers expressed concern that students struggled with English and faced difficulties with reading and comprehension.

Herman Namora meeting with Teachers during his survey.

Herman decided then to help in any way he can. He gathered young adults in the community and conducted awareness on the importance of early childhood learning. With the help of the Catholic Diocese and Madang Teachers College, 14 school leavers were taught Phonics to be able to return and serve their communities.

Their work is voluntary and for two teachers who returned to Dallam they faced challenges such as setting up a classroom and sourcing materials coupled with ethnic clashes which hindered the progress of their teaching but all was not lost, the community realized the keen interest in learning by children aged 3 to 5 years and decided to build a classroom.

After two years and sheer determination, the first batch of graduands from the Early Childhood Learning school will be certified at the end of this month.

There is still more work to be done but excitement is in the air for Dallam village as they prepare for graduation day.  For Herman and the teachers, all the work is voluntary and they hope to seek funding for learning materials and reading books for the children.

The first batch of students. The classroom was built by the community.
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Education

KTF Strengthens Partnership for 2023

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The Kokoda Track Foundation, Kina Bank, and the Motu Koita Assembly have renewed their partnership for the ongoing operations of the Motu Koita FODE Center in 2023.

The announcement of the Strengthen Partnership was made today at the Motu Koita FODE Center.

The FODE center is operated by an international development organization, the Kokoda Track Foundation, and funded by Kina Bank.

The partnership began in 2020 and has seen an annual cohort of over 100 students pursuing a second chance at Education through this center.

Motu Koita Acting CEO Gaud Frank acknowledged this partnership saying FODE centers are an important program in the education system.

“I am happy to see this partnership renewed today, and guarantee FODE services to continue in Motu Koita Villages,” the acting CEO said.

Kina Bank CEO Greg Pawson says their purpose is to continue to improve the prosperity of the people, communities, and markets they serve, and they are very happy partners.

“This Partnership aligns with our purpose and delivers tangible outcomes that can only benefit the people of Papua New Guinea,” Pawson said.

The Kokoda Track Foundation has established various FODE centers and education programs in various provinces.

When announcing this strengthened partnership, KTF CEO Dr. Genevieve Nelson announced plans to create more space for elementary school teachers to upgrade their qualifications.

She said the need for FODE and second-chance pathways are critical.

“Teachers are required the upgrade their qualifications, and there are new minimum entry qualifications required to gain entry into Teacher’s College as well as other tertiary pathways.

“We are proud to work with so many committed people from the Motu Koita Communities and give them a second chance at education,” the KTF CEO said.

The FODE center offers grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 studies to students who wish to upgrade their education, in the hope of pursuing further studies in the fields of teaching and health.

The grades 9 and 11 students are now preparing to sit their mock exams, and they will be sitting for their final examinations later this month.

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Education

Girls School Welcomes New Infrastructure

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Students attending the Mary Immaculate Girls Technical Secondary School in the Gumine District of Chimbu Province are proud recipients of new school facilities.

The new facilities will support more girls every year from Chimbu and the surrounding highlands provinces to access high-quality technical and vocational education and training, improving their skills and broadening employment opportunities in the future.

A 76-bed dormitory, staff housing, student and staff ablution blocks and upgrades to facilities throughout the school were funded through the PNG-Australia Partnership Program at a cost of K6.4million.

The new classroom facility was built under the PNG-Australian Partnership Program

“Empowering girls through education benefits everyone, not just the students. It means they can choose their own career paths and support themselves, their families and the community,” said High Commissioner Philp.

Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso said the Government is a strong supporter of empowering women and girls under the Take Back PNG Policy.

“It is important for our daughters to be educated too just like our sons,”

“Infrastructure such as this will provide more beneficial programs,” Rosso added.

The project also included procurement of new laptops, and sewing machines and training for girls in basic office administration, skill management and financial literacy.

“We are changing attitudes about what girls can do and empowering girls to believe in themselves and their abilities, fulfilling the school’s motto, ‘Empower to Serve’,”

“We are grateful to the PNG-Australian Partnership for helping us to achieve this goal and reach even more girls every year with these important opportunities,” said Sr Regina Anthony, the School Principal.

The facilities were opened by Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp, Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and Gumine MP, Dawa Luckas.

Students attending the Mary Immaculate Girls Technical Secondary School in the Gumine District of Chimbu Province
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Education

Electronic Library for CHW School

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Rumginae School of Community Health Workers (CHW), in Western Province, recently celebrated the opening of its new E-library facility.

It was completed at the cost of K73 000, co-funded by Vega Industries, an Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) supplier, and Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

The interactive e-library has over 30 million resource materials that will benefit the students and staff.

School Principal Amos Kupaloma in his remarks, said the shortage of community health workers and access to health services has always been a challenge for Western Province.

“We are trying to raise the standards of health facilities, and the school’s aim is to prepare more Community Health Workers to serve in these health facilities,” Kupaloma said.

The Principal said training competent CHWs with the vital skills and knowledge, will contribute to quality and cost-effective Primary Health Care services to rural and urban communities, thus fulfilling the PNG government’s National Health Plan.

He was grateful to the school’s Board of Directors, and development partners who have contributed to having this facility completed.

OTML Board Chairman Dr Roger Higgins, who was the guest of honour, was pleased that developments were taking shape in rural areas, and the school is using technology to enhance teaching and learning.

“I commend the school administration for bringing the CHW School this far, since its inception in 1976, and the current development will be valuable in teaching and training future professionals in medicine,” said Dr Higgins.

Dr Higgins encouraged the school to look after the facility and make good use of it.

The new E-library is part of its capacity building, to enable the CHW training school to become a Nursing College.

The school intends to commence its Nursing Diploma program in 2023.

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Education

School Fee Program Working in Samarai-Murua

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On his recent trip to Sidudu, Sariba Island in Milne Bay, Samarai-Murua MP and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard had the opportunity to meet a teacher who had been sponsored through the Samarai-Murua Tertiary Students School Fee Assistance Program.

This program is part of his district’s initiative in assisting and addressing the education sector in Samarai-Murua.

After the independence program which had coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Sidudu Primary School, in which Minister Leonard had delivered the keynote message, a Grade 4 Teacher at the Primary school approached him and his team to introduce herself.

To his pleasant surprise, Minister Leonard was informed that Miss Hazel Gwa is a product of the tertiary students’ school fee assistance program in the last term of parliament.

Miss Gwa, a 26-year-old from Panaeati island, west of Misima Island, had completed her studies at the Dauli Teachers College in Dauli Valley, Hela Province.

She spent two years from 2016 to 2018 before graduating with a diploma in primary school teaching.

In her first posting after graduating, Miss Gwa was sent to East Cape Primary School on the eastern tip of mainland Milne Bay in 2019.

In 2020 she was posted to Patnai Primary School, southwest of Misima Island, Samarai-Murua District.

From 2021 last year to this year 2022, she has been at the Sidudu Primary school on Sariba island. Her tenure expires next year in 2023.

Miss Gwa completed her grades nine to ten from 2012 to 2013 at Misima High School before attending Wesley Secondary School on Fergusson Island in Esa’ala District to do her grades 11 and 12 from 2014 to 2015.

She expressed her gratitude to Mr Leonard and his team for giving her an opportunity to complete her studies and become a teacher.

Like Miss Gwa, there are many graduate students across the district who had successfully completed their respective programs and are now helping the people of Samarai-Murua.

This is something Minister Leonard envisioned when he became a member of parliament in 2017 and is determined to continue to assist many more students through the program in this term of parliament.

The Minister encouraged her to continue to strive and serve the people of Samarai-Murua.

He was impressed with the number of success stories of students who had come out of the school fee assistance program and highlighted the need for continuous support in this sector, especially at the tertiary education level.

Minister Leonard pointed out the importance of education for all children in his district and many youths who had missed out on further education, as he was determined to create opportunities for them.

This he said would generally build social intelligence across the district to create a smarter, more informed, creative, skilled, and reliable community to meet the demands of change.

Adding that the school fee assistance program helped ease the burden on many parents who struggled with school fee issues.

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Education

PNGTA Expresses Concern

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The Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) is taking the Education Minister, Secretary and Teachers Service Commission to court following non-compliance with a four-month court order that’s not being complied.

PNGTA National President Aita Sanangkepe said the court had ordered their inclusion in the discussions of the National Education Board, National Capital District Education Board and Provincial Education Boards.

“I’ve directed my lawyer this morning to take contempt proceedings against these people named because there is a court in place,” Mr Sanangkepe said.

He continued, “There’s a national court order in place to allow us PNTGA to represent teachers in Papua New Guinea (in) all education boards”.

The Union representative for the Teachers said for unknown reasons the court order of May 27, 2022, wasn’t implemented and it was frustrating.

“Court order is Court order, no one is above the law,” Mr Sanangkepe said.

The union is also crying foul over the National Education Department and Teaching Services Commission for its failure to publish the Education Gazette for the third consecutive year.

The Education Gazette is important for teachers when it comes to:

  • Applying for a position within the school they are teaching in,
  • Applying for a teaching position in another school,
  • Applying for a position in another district or:
  • Applying for a position in another province.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra in response said it is now incumbent on the PNGTA to appoint their representatives and submit them to the Education Minister’s office.

“The Minister appoints the NEB after each rep of stipulated organizations submits names with CVs. The CVs are assessed to determine a nominee’s fit and proper status by the department,” said Dr Kombra.   

Furthermore, the Minister has recently resumed duties and the matter will be addressed if the Union has made its submission.

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Education

Students Miss Out on National Written Expression Exam

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Morobe’s Program Advisor for Education, Keith Tangui told Inside PNG that more than two hundred
students from two Secondary Schools in Lae didn’t sit for their National Written Expression Exam on
Monday due to continuous fights along Lae’s backroad area.

Keith Tangui, Morobe’s Education Program Advisor.

Tangui said the fight was believed to be caused by election related violence along the backroad area and
Bumayong.

This prevented the students of Malahang Technical Secondary and Bumayong Secondary
school from attending classes.

Mr. Tangui said the students who didn’t sit for the exam have to report to the Principal of the schools
and to the Board of Governors in order to have a position reserved for next year.

Tangui said the students have the right to education, therefore they shouldn’t be rejected by the Schools.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Education Advisor called on the communities to refrain from fighting and
respect the students’ education and school infrastructure.

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Education

Koiari Park Secondary Receives new e-Library System

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Koiari Park Secondary

BSP Life PNG Limited (BSPL) has donated two new computer sets and three Wi-Fi-routers to Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School, with access to free e-learning material to supplement the knowledge and skillsets for these students.

BSP Life PNG, a licensed life insurer and subsidiary of BSP Financial Group Limited, handed over an e-library set up worth K30, 000, under the BSP annual community initiative.

With this e-library, students and teachers at Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School can access Resource books , Copies of old  PNG exam papers, Encyclopedias/Dictionaries, Crash Courses,  Wikipedia, Reading books Motivational videos & video tutorials, Microsoft office Training and teachers can upload assignments, notes and other important documents for students to download or access at any time without an internet connection.  

Students and teachers can also connect to the e-library through Wi-Fi access, without requiring internet access.

“Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its future and part of that starts here in our schools, in the classrooms and in libraries. School libraries provide opportunities for students to think, create, share & grow. They can be a hub of learning, bridging the digital divide and making a difference in the lives of students. Our students are the leaders of tomorrow and it is important they get the best education possible,” said BSP Life PNG Country Manager, Nilson Singh.

“When access to education and learning grows, the ripple effects on communities and countries is remarkable. While we stand as a corporate organisation, each of our staff is a part of a community. I hope that through our contribution today to Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School, it will empower learners, inspire and make meaningful change for current students and future generations as well,” added Singh.

Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School Principal Sailas Wagi thanked BSP for providing them with this much needed educational tool.

“Thank you for the tremendous donation that seemed small but worthy for the school especially teachers and students in boosting their learning, capacity” Mr Wagi said in tears.

BSP has delivered 529 community projects since 2009, worth over K13.39 million. This year, 2022, under the theme ‘Health and Education’, BSP handed-over 11 community projects from the 49 projects proposed by each of our Branches and Business Units.

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