08 August 2013

Australian High Commission provide books to Bavaroko Primary School

To mark National Book Week, the Australian High Commission today donated K4000 worth of reading books and material to Bavaroko Primary School in the nation’s capital.

High Commissioner HE Ms Deborah Stokes handed over the books to Bavaroko Primary School Head Teacher Catherine Moresi. Ms Stokes said she hoped the donation would meaningfully contribute to the learning and success of about 1500 students attending the school and those that enrolled in the future.

“Learning to read is important to help function successfully in school, on the job, and in society. And reading can also be a fun and imaginative activity, opening doors to all kinds of new worlds. We can explore these new worlds if we can read and write,” Ms Stokes said.

In presenting the books, Ms Stokes highlighted literacy as one of Papua New Guinea’s most significant development challenges.

“To improve literacy rates and to encourage children to read, we need to be able to have access to books and reading facilities,” Ms Stokes said.

The Head of Australian Aid in PNG, Stuart Schaefer, said Australia’s strong commitment to supporting education in PNG includes buying and delivering to schools up to four million free textbooks by 2015-16.

Australia also supports early childhood reading through funding to Buk Bilong Pikinini – an independent non-government organisation that brings books to children through the creation of small libraries.

“We are also providing support through various teacher training institutions to improve PNG teachers’ ability to provide high quality English language teaching,” Mr Schaefer said.

“This will help PNG’s children get a good foundation in reading and writing so that they are able to take up future opportunities.”