MP commited to school infrastructure

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, November 17, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE focus of the member for Port Moresby Northwest and Health Minister, Michael Malabag, is creating the capacity for schools to accelerate learning of children.

In his speech he highlighted that it was in line with the government’s long term goal in building capacity within the education system.

The speech was delivered by his first secretary, Mr Guba Jack Daera at the ground breaking ceremony for a four classroom building for Sacred Heart Primary School at Hohola, last week.

“Investment in the training of teachers, rehabilitating existing primary and secondary school infrastructure, investing in new classrooms and dormitories as financing allows, enhancing universal access to basic education."

"A phased reduction in school fess and enhancing early childhood learning to help develop the basic foundations of young children so that transition into the next level of education becomes easier,” Mr Daera read from the speech.

“The focus will also be on rehabilitating the existing National High Schools to make them become Schools of Excellence where intakes from universities will be drawn from.”

The immediate focus of the Member within the next five years will include: implementing the education reforms to improve service delivery; strengthening and coordinating partnerships with stakeholders at all levels; enhancing universal access to basic education, ensuring effective distribution of education materials and supplies and implementing other legislative reforms.

“Pooling together and successfully implementing the efforts of all sectors including primary and secondary education, higher education, health, human resource development and training etc…, is quite ambitious but achievable,” the Minister said.

Minister Malabag also extended his gratitude to NCDC Governor Powes Parkop and his administration for their foresight and partnership in making funds available to counter fund this vital project and making it a reality.

The Minister also presented six computers towards students’ research and ICT programs.

The building would be constructed at the cost of K500,000.

“I would like to encourage the school to take responsibility and look after the building upon completion as it is an asset that makes one a better person,” the Minister said.