Motu Koita students urged to prioritise education

Caption: Governor Parkop handing over the keys for the new classrooms to Hagara Primary Board Chairman, Eddie Kavina.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, December 15, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

NCD Governor Powes Parkop urged students from Motu Koita villages in the nation’s capital to take their education very seriously, during the graduation of grade eight students from Hagara Primary School, held in the heart of Elevala Village last week.

Along with the graduation of the students, there was also the presentation of keys to the school’s new 4x1 classroom building, which was funded by local member for Moresby North West Michael Malabag, with the support of the governor.

Governor Parkop pointed out to both villagers and student on how vital human resource was to them- highlighting the lack of resources as a factor to which education became a necessity for survival with the city isolating them.

“In the city we do not have natural resources, and we have lost a lot.”

“It is a challenge for us, because the only resource we have is human beings, and I have set out to utilize our people through education.”

“It is the main pathway to secure a better future.”

He made mention of the government’s emphasis in education through the allocation of over K1 billion kina to the sector for 2014, which he said was why parents were now forced to play a big role in making sure their children not only attend school, but also make sure they succeed in it.

“Parents do not leave it up to the teachers, and authorities to get your children to be successful in their schooling life- it all has to start at home.”

“When they ask for a K40 project fees, please pay it because it is our school and our investment.”

He reminded them of the options students from other provinces in the city had when they could not further their education in the various levels- something he said wasn’t a luxury traditional landowners in the city had.

“Students from other provinces in our city who cannot do not have a placing to the next level of education, have at least their home provinces to go back to with abundant resources.”

“In NCD, for customary landowners in the city, when you go back there is nothing.”

“Failure is not an option- today you graduate, I want to see you graduate from high school also.”

“We must try to follow the ingenuity of our forefathers who conducted the Hiri Trade to cater for their needs.”

“We must also be smart in investing in our human resource to make up for the lack of natural resources we have in the city.”

He made mention of the success the Enga Provincial Government’s had achieved putting emphasis on education as a key medium for development.

“Through the leadership of Enga’s Governor Peter Ipatas they have professionals in almost all fields in the country.”

“This is why we are investing in school’s like Hagara Primary”

The Governor said that there were 42 primary schools in the city, to the nine secondary schools, and told those present that it was his goal for NCD was to have as much as 20 secondary schools to cater for the number of students going through the system.

He assured parents and the Hagara’s Primary school board that their plans for teachers’ houses, a vehicle, and a computer lab will be planned for in the next year, saying that by 2017 all primary schools should be computerized.