Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

150924 MR Supporting better health and education along Kokoda Track

Supporting better health and education along the Kokoda Track

The people of Manari on the Kokoda Track have celebrated the completion of new infrastructure, built through the Kokoda Initiative, to provide better services for their community.

Representatives of the Kokoda Initiative, Kokoda Track Authority, Department of Education, Hiri District Health Administration and Australian High Commission joined the community in opening the facilities on 27 August.

The two new staff houses for education and health workers, six toilets and clean water facilities have been funded by Australia under the Kokoda Initiative.

Alecks Wageri, Head Teacher at Manari Primary School, said the new buildings will help to appoint and retain teachers and health workers.

“Currently, there are three primary school teachers at Manari Primary School who teach two or more grades each. With a new staff house, the appointment of another teacher is possible which will mean better student to teacher ratios for the 109 students enrolled at the school,” he said.

“The Australian and PNG Governments are committed to supporting better education and health services in the Kokoda Track region. To achieve this, we work in partnership with all levels of Government and the community,” said Rod Hilton, Minister Counsellor, Australian High Commission.

“It has been fantastic to work with the people of Menari for working to construct these facilities, which will be a great benefit for the local community.”

More infrastructure will be delivered to communities in the Kokoda Track region in coming months. In July 2015, Australia and Papua New Guinea completed the delivery of 240 tonnes of building materials to construct education, health, water and sanitation facilities for communities, which will benefit thousands of people.

The Kokoda Initiative is a partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea to protect the Kokoda Track, Brown River Catchment and the Owen Stanley Range region and improve the quality of life of communities living in the Kokoda Track and surrounding areas.