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Education

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Education

Lihir School Celebrates National Book Week

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National Book Week

The National Book Week theme for 2022 is ‘’Choose Your Destiny – Read”.

Lihir International school joined schools around the country in the first week of August for a series of fun and educational activities to celebrate National Book Week. It featured a costume parade by primary school students who dressed up in their favorite book characters.

The Upper primary and high school students also participated in a Book Week writing competition.

Lihir International school is situated in the Londolovit township of Lihir, New Ireland and provides quality education for children from residential families working for Newcrest Mining, its business partners and community groups.

Speaking at the parade, organizer Mrs Elizabeth Daimoi encouraged the students to read a variety of books including both fiction and non-fiction books.

Students dress up in costumes for National Book Week
Children dress up in costumes to celebrate National Book Week
Little girl dresses in Mermaid costume to celebrate National Book Week

‘’Develop the habit of reading – it will help you make wide decisions on your lives and the kind of person you want to be in future.” Mrs Daimoi told the students.

National Book Week is an annual event that encourages schools to focus on reading and its importance.  Lihir International School places a strong emphasis on reading and provides opportunities for reading through an easily accessible library.

The school also runs whole class, groups and one-on-one reading sessions that ensure students receive appropriate help to improve and enhance their reading.

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Education

Suspects Arrested Over Kimbe School Arson

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ON the eve of year 12 mock examinations, the Administration building of Kimbe Secondary School in West New Britain was burnt to ashes.

Students and staff and woke up in shock this morning.

Seven arson suspects have been arrested by police and are currently held at the Kimbe Police Station cells.

According to a source in Kimbe, the seven were rounded up by police following eyewitness reports of arson in the early hours of this morning.

From reports, the main school administration building was set alight by the suspects. The fire started at the administration kitchen then extended quickly and engulfed the whole building.

“The whole administration block is down to ashes,” said the Chairman of the School Board Management Steven Raphael. I can’t understand why anybody would go out and deliberately do this. It’s the nerve system of the school. That is where all the record of the school is kept. Records for students, staff and school,” said Raphael.

The suspects also lit fire at a nearby Grade 10 classroom but boarding students managed to put it off.

The fire truck was called but was too late. Firemen attempted to stop and control the fire but couldn’t. The help of the second fire truck only managed to extinguish fire and stop it from spreading.

Authorities are now establishing the reason why such act of arson is committed.

A female student said its shocking. “We now very concern that important documents are gone. Exams are nearing and we are not sure how the school administration will decide on”, said a student.

This morning Kimbe Secondary School Principal George Areng and the Board Chairman addressed students during assembly. He expressed sadness over the incident but encouraged students to maintain focus. Areng reiterated that authorities will ensure those involved are dealt by the law.

Principal Areng also confirmed that the Grade 12 Mock Exam will proceed.

Meanwhile the student body demanded the school administration to stage a peaceful protest in Town today but were discouraged. Chairman Raphael appeal for peace stating it’s an unfortunate incident.

He said the Board will work with Police to ensure justice hails.

“Staging a protest is not right now, there is counting (2022 NGE in town and opportunist might stir riot,” added Mr. Raphael.

I’m hoping this is not election related. We are a school. What do we have to do with the election? Its shows that there is a sick society of humans out there taking out their frustration on an institution like,” said Chairman Raphael.

Police have begun investigations into this matter.

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Education

Graduate Job Link Provides Job Link Training to Graduates

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A Business Management Lecturer at Goroka Technical College has gone out of his way to provide basic job link training for graduates.

Harold Malken is the founder and head trainer of Graduate Job Link, a volunteer employment agency based in Goroka.

Through his Agency, he has developed a customized Curriculum Vitae (CV) and job application package, which he is offering to new graduates, with an aim to help them secure employment.

“Graduates go through a lot of hurdles in their first job entry. This is because graduates are not prepared during their formal education.” Mr Malken said.

Malken said, tertiary institutions only trained graduates to diploma and degree level and fails to bridge the missing link, and that is to train students on how best they can structure their job application and CV.

“When I first started teaching at Goroka Technical College in 2017, I noticed students trying their best to write good CVs and job application for employment.

“This also reminded me of my days after graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Strategic Management at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2011, and very importantly how hard it was to secure my first employment.” Malken said.

In 2019, he conducted his first session of training at Goroka to up skill graduates to write good CVs for employment and also trialed out his CV samples.

In 2020, he got about 5 positive responses from the first 30 students who attended his first training.

That has motivated him to enhance the CV Package to include 6 features, and that includes:

a. Explanation of CV from the employer perspective

b. Job Dedicated CVs

c. Interview questions, their corresponding reasons and answer guides

d. Interview Preparation Strategies

e. Post Sale Services like editing of letters and CV

f. Doing Mock /Practice Interviews and

g. Providing Practical Job Application Sessions.

Mr Malken has since been conducting trainings for graduates in Goroka, Lae, Madang, and Port Moresby since 2019

Malken said, from over 500 graduates who attended his trainings, more than a quarter has found formal employment in both public and private sector organizations.

One area of focus where Mr Malken is challenged with is ‘Experience’ which is a one of the main requirements for job entry.

“We understand that graduates do not have a lot of paid job experience. When conducting trainings, we provide 7 different strategies to cover for experience.

“There are lot of challenges like wantok system and nepotism, however graduates should know that the probability of their employment also depend on how best they can market themselves in their CV and Cover Letter and constantly applying for jobs.” Mr Malken said.

Apart from his Job Application training package, he has also introduced a SME training for Beginners.

“With an increased unemployment rate in the country, the SME for Beginners Training is developed to provide a self-employment option for graduates, so that they can participate in Government Funded SME Programs through BSP and NDB.” Malken said.

He said he is using his own personal experience as a former Bank South Pacific Pioneer SME Lending Officer from 2012 – 2015 to run the SME training.

Mr Malken further added that his aim is to see graduates to be formally employed or informally through self-employment, and see them be their own boss, drive their own car, and sign their own cheques.

Last weekend Mr. Malken with the assistance of his volunteers conducted a two days training with more than 60 attendees at Goroka.

Graduate Job Link’s July session will cover Goroka, Lae, Kimbe and Port Moresby Moresby.

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Education

SME Training Aims to Help Citizens Start Businesses

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FIFTY participants of the Lahara Women’s Association of Tubusereia village in Central province, Yesterday received their certificates after completing two weeks of Start Your Business (SYB) Micro-enterprise training. participants of the Lahara Women’s Association of Tubusereia village in Central province, Yesterday received their certificates after completing two weeks of Start Your Business (SYB) Micro-enterprise training.

The training was facilitated by the SME Corporation, with an aim to help citizens create employment and generate income through the development of small businesses start-ups.

In a small Graduation ceremony yesterday, SME Corporation Acting Director Capacity Building and Business Advisory, Mr. Edward Kepa challenged the participants to put the knowledge they gained into practice.

“You cannot expect change and different results by doing the same things over and over again.

“You have to learn to do things differently. In business, you have to learn to be patient, start small and grow,” Kepa said.

He also challenged the men to support their wives in starting small businesses.

Kepa further added that SME Corporation wanted to change the mindset and attitude of Papua New Guineans towards business through delivering trainings at the ward level where the majority of the population is.

The Participants were grateful for the knowledge they have received in the two weeks of training.

“The training has given me a better view of life for the future.

“I have learnt that there is more to life than sitting in the house and thinking motherhood.” A Participant said.

The training covered various topics, including how to come up with business ideas, record keeping, profit and how to get loans to start businesses.

The program also focuses on citizens who have already started a business but do not know the basics of running a successful business.

The SME Corporation is running these training in various provinces with an aim to help locals become successful in their businesses.

They have over 200 certified trainers, delivering these trainings in rural areas in the country.

It is a key impact project among other key policy and legislative reforms SMEC has initiated in 2020 and 2021 to support and deliver on the Government’s vision to develop and grow the MSME sector.

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Education

‘Tips For Kids Coaching’, an early learning platform for young PNG children

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A NEW early childhood education tutoring service has been set up to strengthen early learning in young children in Papua New Guinea.

It is the brainchild of 26-year-old Founder and Director, Dianne Meli, who is a teacher by profession.

Miss Meli started this service in 2020 after realizing that there were gaps in existing learning programs, and the absence of different modes of online distance education during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“As a teacher I have a passion for education, especially with children. I like being more involved (in this process) and developing supportive programs fosters their (children) love for learning”

DIanne Meli, Founder and Director of TIPS FOR KIDS

Miss Meli admits that like most people today, she grew up not liking school and being bombarded with questions about her future career path.

“The truth is, most young people grow up not knowing what they desire to do in life, only to discover it later.

“I believe the early years of a child’s life, is the best time to start developing their mind because this is when their minds are still very delicate and free of any misconceptions of the world around them.

“Early childhood education is the stage to teach a child the right and true concepts, especially pre-concepts that they will need in order to progress.

“If a child is not taught at a young age, there will always be a need for intervention, causing gaps in progress or a lack of progress altogether due to difficulties or challenges he or she may face in the future.”

Her love of learning was discovered during her teenage years at the age of 15-years-old when she was given a part-time job opportunity to work in a small family-run private school.

Her roles included the facilitation of teaching and learning, grading and marking individual student exercises, and the overall supervision of daily routines.

While she recalls how challenging this experience was, it was after going through this that she developed a love of working in a classroom with students.

“The best part of practice for me, is in the moments of teaching when a student realizes a concept you taught them and uses it to connect a problem to a solution.

“From my personal knowledge coupled with experience and practice, children learn through play at the stage of birth to 3-years-old; and by the time they reach ages 4-6, they reach the age of development where they are old enough to learn more constructively in school, however, parents have an individual choice for the results they desire, and I respect that.”

Miss Meli pursued her passion by undertaking an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) where she attained a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. This opportunity not only broadened and developed her love of working with children and getting to know them through play, but also exposed her to working in an international industry.

She is now operating a private tutoring firm called ‘Tips for Kids Coaching’, providing quality tutoring through best practice of early intervention and tailored individual programs.

“I believe there is a need for additional programs to support academic success in school,” she says.

While the Government has introduced the concept of early childhood education throughout schools in Papua New Guinea, there are still questions as to whether the concept is understood, and if the education sector is properly equipped with the human resource and educational materials to roll it out.

“As an early childhood educator having returned to Papua New Guinea, I find that the State of Papua New Guinea does not have (effective) systems or services that provide Early Childhood Education for teachers to practice, and for students to learn.”

Miss Meli says that it is not only a challenge for rural Papua New Guinea, but also for towns and cities given the fact that Early Childhood Learning centers are privately owned.

She says the Government should consider upskilling teachers’ current standards to fit the concepts of teaching very young children, and introduce schools for early childhood learning within cities as well as in the rural areas.

She also stated that some of these teachers should be sent abroad to learn best practices for Early Childhood learning, in order to acquire international knowledge of implementation around this way of teaching.

“Education is a way of life,” says Miss Meli.

“I believe there is a need for additional programs to support academic success in school, therefore, I would like to encourage other young people to never give up, and work hard to achieve your dreams. Because one day they will become a reality.”

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Education

Save the Children PNG takes Online Safety advocacy to schools

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Four primary schools in the nation’s capital, NCD have taken part in Save the Children PNG’s online safety I Am Digital Campaign.

While much of the campaign is being done online, SCPNG is taking a different approach to advocating on internet safety.

“Most of the information on online safety is not being viewed on Facebook by children between the ages of 13-18 because of the high cost of data,” said Child Protection Coordinator of SCPNG, Owen Suanga.

“This is the reason we must go to the schools physically and talk to them about being safe online so they can share this information with their friends and families.”

The school visit is part of Save the Children’s support toward NICTA and the PNG Safer Internet Committee’s Safer Internet Day 2022 campaign about being safe online for young people and informing them about online and cyber bullying.

The schools Save the Children conducted Online Safety awareness in included Coronation Primary, Sacred Heart Primary, Carr Memorial Primary and Bavaroko Primary.

Both the students and teachers found the visits very educational and helpful not only as teachers but also as parents.

Joe Lai, a senior teacher at Coronation Primary School said, “Some of the lessons that we teach in the classroom are in line with the IAmDigital Campaign.”

He was very impressed with the advocacy that took place and added, “We are in a digital age and Social Media especially Facebook, has become a big part of our life today.”

“Such awareness is very helpful, so that our students will understand how to use Social Media in appropriate ways.”

I Am Digital is a digital literacy and safety initiative that was first launched in December 2021 in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga. The awareness into schools falls under phase 2 of the I Am Digital campaign that kicked off in January this year and included 3 more Pacific Islands countries which was Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu.

The campaign aims to deliver targeted and localized information to educate and empower Pacific Islands teenagers, youth, and parents on how to have safer and more positive online experiences.

This campaign is a partnership between Save the Children and Meta (formerly Facebook) to create safer online experiences for young people in the Pacific.

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Education

New Primary School Opens in Numbo

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by Rayon Lakingu

The People of the Ward 4 area of Numbo LLG, in the Yangoru Sausia District, Yesterday celebrated the opening of a new Primary School.

The Newly established Klewia Primary school will serve three villages in the area.

According to Local Ward Member Tony Wamahawa, people in the area have been walking long distance in search for school and better education.

This has caused many students to drop out of school.

This school will help minimize low illiteracy rate among youths in the area.

“With a total of K100, 000 funding support from the Yangoru Sausia District Development Authority, a two in one double classroom was built including a teacher’s house.” the local Ward Member said.

School inspector Maggie Kambaki said they have allocated to this school, and the school will be church run school, under the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA)

Local MP Richard Maru was satisfied with the work done the people to build this school.

He further committed a total of K50, 000 to build staff houses.

“There must be a proper plan for the future layout of the school.

“There must be a proper land development plan, so we can follow the plan to develop the school.” The local MP said.

He challenged the people to look after the school infrastructures and the teachers who will serving there.

The Newly established double classroom will cater for grades 1 and 2, while there are plans to build more classrooms.

The school is expected to commence enrollment next week.

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Education

UOG Maprik Campus Hosts Inaugural Graduation

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A pastor is among four University of Goroka (UOG) students who graduated from the UOG Maprik Campus on Friday.

Pastor Benjamin Silingin graduated with Bachelor of Education in School Management alongside fellow students Micah Stanley, Noel Nahambir and Alfred Gai through UGO’s Distance and Flexible Learning, Maprik Study Center.

They are now the pioneer graduates of the campus since it’s establishment in 2019.

The other three are community school teachers.

Stanley Micah is from Kubalia and is teaching at Yangoru District.

Noel Nahambir is from Drekikir and teaching in his Electorate.

Alfred Gai is from Angoram and is teaching at Turubu.

Speaking on behalf of the four graduands, Pastor Benjamin thanked the Maprik District Development Authority (DDA) for it’s decision to build a resource center and bringing in Universities to set up Distance and Flexible Learning.

He said this decision has allowed them to not only excel in their education but respective field of work.

“It is a sign of good governance.

“Thank you for the gift of education, we are truly blessed,” Pastor Benjamin said.

Director UOG-Maprik Campus Theresa Dingu said it was crucial the graduation ceremony was held in Maprik Town to encourage others to pursue this education path.

“I was asked to bring the students to Goroka to graduate with all the students at the main campus, but I refused.

“It was crucial the gowns were brought here and the graduation takes place in Maprik Town.”

She also extended her gratitude to the Maprik District DDA to allow UOG the opportunity to extend it’s Distance and Flexible Learning Center in Maprik.

UOG was the first university to accept the district’s invitation to set up at it’s newly built resource center.

CEO Maprik DDA Joshua Himina explained that the resource center was built to give another opportunity for students who have dropped out of Grade 8, 10 and 12.

Following the completion of the resource center, the DDA provided office spaces for FODE and University Centres.

Today, the resource center houses Distance and Flexible Learning Centres for University of Goroka, University of Papua New Guinea, PNG University of Technology and Divine Word University.

Himina said the dream to give the people of Central Sepik another chance in education and bring tertiary institutions closer to home was a dream of the Local MP and the DDA.

The resource center was built from a K1.5 million Government funding through the Department of National Planning.

“Each District was given K1.5million to build education resource centers.

“Maprik District has done exactly that and is currently serving 5000 students who are enrolled in various programs,” Himina said.

Chairman of the DDA and Member for Maprik, John Simon congratulated the DDA CEO for bringing their vision into reality and the first graduation.

Extending his congratulations to the graduating students, Simon encouraged them to not only use their degrees to find employment but also create employment.

“Let’s create jobs for ourselves, let us create employment,” he said.

The Minister for Agriculture believes Education is key for his people to make informed decisions in Agriculture.

The economy of Maprik District was built on Agriculture and depends heavily in Agriculture.

The graduation ceremony took place in the newly built Community Hall which was also officially opened on Friday by Agriculture Minister John Simon.

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Education

Cyber Security Training

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A hundred and twenty (120) students ranging from six to sixteen-year-olds are currently participating in a training for internet safety sponsored by CPL Foundation.

The Cyber Sawe PNG School Holiday Training was launched on Monday by the charity arm of CPL Group, CPL Foundation.

The training is supported by an Australian Community Computer Science organization, SecuriDay.

The Cyber Sawe PNG internet security workshop is a first-of-its-kind which focuses on raising awareness on the safe and informed use of the internet.

CPL Group CEO Navin Raju said, “CPL Group is keen to support our younger generation to

better understand internet/cyber safety to be able to protect themselves when surfing the

internet.”

He said one of CPL Group’s values is to be responsible to the people, communities and environment of Papua New Guinea.

“The internet is one environment that children need guidance in exploring.

“CPL Group takes pride in this contribution to nation building in nurturing young minds as one aspect of national and local development,” said Mr Raju.

Kids SecuriDay Team leader, Ms Heidi Winter who leads the seven member team of cyber experts said this is an awareness to build strong skillsets and showcase internet best practices on on how to efficiently utilize the Internet and hi-tech.

“We have workshop topics covered for children, teenagers and adults,” Winter said.

The topics of the training are designed to build confidence and teach individuals how to be tech savvy in internet security and computing.

The four days training started on the 12th of April and will end on Friday 15th April..

Over 300 applications were received highlighting the need for such training.

“We have documented all the applicants and do plan to have additional programs this year with the same content.,” said Mr Raju.

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Education

Pimaga TVET Graduate 21 Students

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A remote TVET institute located in the heart of Kutubu Local Level Government graduated its first batch of 21 electrical students on Thursday, 31st of March.

The graduation ceremony brought guests from the Southern Highlands Provincial Education Board, Mineral Resources Development Company, Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network and communities around Pimaga and Bosavi to witness the first ever graduation ceremony.

‘’The youth will carry on our legacy, they are the next generation of leaders and we must play our part by investing in their future and providing them with a platform to express themselves to drive positive development in our community, said an emotional Pimaga TVET institute Principal and Manager, Warubi Masahimu.

I am very proud to see 21 students graduate with electrical trade certificates. Among the male students, we have two females who braved their way to achieving their goals. We have to be proud of our children’s achievements. This is not theirs only but for us, our family and our community,’’ Mr Masahimu added.

The TVET institute birthed from a youth forum that was held in 2016 in Pimaga station during an International Youth Day (IYD) program sponsored by ExxonMobil.

The IYD is a day used as a youth empowerment advocacy program, an initiative of the Kutubu LLG Council of Youth & Women and supported by Advancing PNG: Women Leaders Network.

In addition, with a strong support system established by the ECPNG Kuige Church, a local leader, Mr Warubi Masahimu, the Kutubu LLG youths, the community, community-based organisations, Oil Search Foundation and Southern Highlands Provincial Education board, the TVET institute was established in 2019.

“We wanted to set the pace to be that model community and initiate projects to benefit our children. Our youth population is well over 12 thousand here in the Kutubu area and, as a chairman, I was worried that there weren’t any opportunities for them. This institute is quite an achievement and first of its kind in the Kutubu area. It has now opened the pathway for our people, youths,” said Steven Farabo, Pimaga TVET Chairman and Kutubu LLG Council of Youth Chairman.

In 2019, Pimaga TVET Institute opened its doors to youths offering trade courses in Electrical, Mechanical and Carpentry Trades. 113 students enrolled and among them were six girls. That same year, the Southern Highlands Provincial Education Board recognized the efforts of the community and its partners and registered the institution.

A fully-fledged registered government institution with six trade skills instructors that provide relevant practical skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding relating to the skills provided in various sectors of the formal and informal economic and social life of Papua New Guinea.

“We just started the foundation and there is a serious need to train and develop young people in this part of the region. We need dynamic teachers, good students and a supportive community.

“I have big dreams for this school. I would like to see proper infrastructure set up in the coming years. I want to produce quality and skilled students but, most importantly, great leaders. And finally, if God willing and I’m still alive, I’d like to see this school become paperless and move into using cloud-based platforms to educate the young minds,” said Warubi Masahimu.

Mineral Resource Development Company (MRDC) has jumped on board and provided student sponsorship in 2021 and 2022. The only Tertiary Institution in Kutubu is looking forward to more support from MRDC, Santos (Oil Search), ExxonMobil, the Local Level Government, Petroleum Resource Kutubu, the Churches, local Community Based Organizations, NGOs, and its communities to provide the second change opportunity for the youth bulge pushed out of the formal education system.

The school currently enrols students from Pimaga, Mubi Valley and the surrounding villages. However, plans are underway to get students from Lake Side, Bosavi, Poroma or Homa Paua once dormitories are built.

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