12 September 2014 

School building supplies airlifted to Kokoda Track

Four tonnes of building supplies have been flown to the Kokoda Track to build teacher housing, water supply and toilets, as a part of the Kokoda Initiative.

More than 200 students from Efogi and Kavovo primary schools will benefit from the construction of two teacher houses, a water catchment dam, installation of four water tanks and six pit latrines.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, said the facilities would support education services and improve access to safe and clean water supply in the region.

“Attracting and retaining teachers is a major challenge for PNG Government schools in remote areas. Providing adequate accommodation for teachers is critical to improving teacher to student ratios and overall school enrolments,” Ms Stokes said.

Materials including timber and 300 litre water tanks were delivered by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force to Efogi and Kavovo – accessible only by air or by foot along the Kokoda Track.

Central Provincial Administrator Gei Raga thanked the PNG Defence Force for their support to the Kokoda Initiative.

“The logistics of transporting material to this region is particularly challenging. Improving the facilities for teachers along the Kokoda Track will have an enormous impact on student learning,” Mr Raga said.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel John Matagarakikai said the exercise was an excellent training scenario for PNG Defence Force aircrew and would build the capacity of the Transport Wing.

Construction of the staff houses will be completed in December 2014 as part of a range of health, education and infrastructure projects funded by the Australian Government through the Kokoda Initiative.