Yule Island in the Kairuku District of Central Province is one of the first inhabitants of Papua New Guinea that allowed Missionaries from the Catholic Church to settle.
The Island also became one of the most significant Government Stations’ in Central Province, and an important mission of the Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH), who also had set up a girl’s high school which closed in the late 1980s.
These days, Yule Island is struggling with infrastructure and investment for the Island’s inhabitants and no longer has some of its prized infrastructure that was a cornerstone for the Island in the 20th Century.
But the people of Yule Island are hoping for change, recently a visit by the member for Kairuku, Peter Isoaimo has seen the commissioning of a double classroom, and two teachers houses for St Patrick’s Yule Island Primary School.
The Island lacks a high school for its primary students who go to Mainohana Secondary School, and in future the Island hopes for a day high school for its inhabitants.
The continuous disputes over Catholic Church Mission land have left the member frustrated with the lack of progress when it comes to improving the access to quality education on the Island, the member alluded to that fact that the Catholic Church was an important partner in education and that people must respect the arrangements made by their ancestors with the missionaries to utilize land for services like health and education.
Isoaimo challenged the people of Yule Island to always put development first and not dwell too much on petty squabbles that will not bring the desired development and investment into the Island.
He added that Yule Island was one of the places in Central Province to be developed before the other areas, but since the colonial day’s things have changed and now Yule Island is a shadow of its former self.
“We cannot sit back and complain and be grumpy, the Island communities are envious of each other, and have an attitude problem, everybody is moving ahead in all sectors, while the Island Communities are struggling because of this attitude problem.
Bishop of Bereina Diocese, Otto Separi said the education infrastructure of the Island was built by the French under the OLSH Mission of the Catholic Church and presently the Church has struggled to rebuild structures of the same quality.
He added that the only way is a through public private partnership between the people, the Church and the Member.
He mentioned that Parents must invest in education, not only by prioritizing their children’s education but also through taking part in the school’s programs.
“Our children want to be educated, so when we build classrooms and teachers houses, we are investing in the education for our children.
“We are building infrastructure to help our children; parents as part of your investment, prioritize your children’s education, by taking part in activities that promote a better future for these children.
“The Parents and Citizens must work with the Government and the Church to continue educating our children in this school,” Bishop Otto Separi said.
The Member for Kairuku also made a commitment of K100,000 for St Patrick’s Primary School and another K100,000 for the Yule Island Health Center.