Media release
5 May 2008
For immediate release
Australian Government to rebuild two Oro schools
The Australian Government will rebuild two schools destroyed by last year’s devastating Oro floods.
Lives were lost, vital roads and bridges damaged and crops destroyed in the floods that swept through the region in November of 2007. At the time the Australian Government responded to PNG Government’s request for emergency assistance providing food, water, shelters and medical supplies. The Australian Government also said it would assist in the long-term rebuilding of Oro.
The rebuilding of Harange Primary School and Eroro Primary School confirms Australia’s commitment to supporting the ongoing rehabilitation of the Oro Province according to the Head of AusAID in PNG, Margaret Thomas.
“We are pleased to make this important contribution to the people of Oro. An important aspect of getting the community back on its feet will be to ensure that its children, the future leaders, have access to appropriate learning opportunities.”
“We also recognise that this assistance is needed urgently and for that reason we will rebuild the schools using people and programs already on the ground in Oro, through AusAID’s Basic Education Development Project,” said Ms Thomas.
Each new school will include three double classrooms, a library, three teachers’ houses, toilets, water tanks and furniture kits. The PNG Government through the Department of Education will provide books for the libraries.
“We have a big task ahead in getting teachers back to work and students back learning given 89 schools were damaged or destroyed in the path of the floods,” said Secretary of the Department of Education, Joseph Pagelio.
“This is an important first step by the Australian Government and now the task for
us is to follow this through,” said Mr Pagelio.
Media Inquiries: AusAID Public Affairs, Jacqueline Smart Tel: 325 9333 ext 216/304