19 November 2013 

 More secondary school places for Simbu youth

Australia has opened new and improved school buildings at Rosary Secondary School in Simbu Province that will create 450 extra school places and a better learning environment for children.

The K6.7 million improvements through the PNG-Australia Incentive Fund include 21 renovated staff houses, seven new staff houses, ten new classrooms and three new student dormitories.

Australia’s Minister-Counsellor, Development Cooperation, James Hall, said Simbu youth will have better opportunities to complete education and prepare for skilled jobs in PNG’s growing economy.

“Less crowded classrooms and dormitories will provide better study environments,” Mr Hall said.

“The new ablution blocks, clinic and infirmary will help to reduce disease that keeps children from learning.

“New and improved staff housing will improve teachers’ satisfaction which is critical because they are largely responsible for the quality of education.”

Principal Gabriel Aina praised the work of than 600 members of the community who renovated buildings and cleared sites, enabling upgrades to more buildings than expected.

“We set out to achieve a better future for young people and with the community’s help we are on our way fulfilling our ambition,” Mr Aina said.

The project, which was officially opened on November 13, also includes a boys’ counselling centre, extension of girls’ guidance centre, renovation and extension of mess hall and a female laundry block.

Of the 450 additional school places, 180 will address current overcrowding and 270 will cater for new intakes including students from remote rural areas and more girls.

It is not the first time Australia has supported Rosary Secondary School, locally known as Kondiu. An infrastructure upgrade in 1998 enabled Kondiu to become Simbu’s first secondary school. Australian missionaries worked at the school from its beginnings 61 years ago as a kunai grass hut.

Australia has also previously provided more than 2300 textbooks to the school. 

Mr Hall said Australia supports access to quality education from basic schooling to universities and technical colleges.

“We work with PNG to get more girls and boys into elementary schools, keep them there for their entire primary and secondary schooling and provide options for further education,” Mr Hall said.

The Incentive Fund supports well-managed organisations to access funding for innovative projects that have a strong development impact for the people of PNG.

The current phase of the Incentive Fund is putting 130 million kina into 20 high performing education and health projects across PNG, in alignment with PNG’s priorities.