MEDIA RELEASE
21 November 2006
For immediate release
PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS BOROKO STUDENTS
Enrolments at Boroko Salvation Army Primary School will rise next year thanks to an additional 245 student places created from a joint development project to upgrade and build new school facilities.
The Australian High Commissioner to PNG, H.E. Mr Michael Potts today (22 November 2006) unveiled the new facilities along with representatives from the National Department of Education, the Salvation Army, and AusAID.
Mr Potts said: “This joint achievement will make a lasting contribution to the quality of teaching and learning here at Boroko Primary School. More students will now be able to progress through the school and prepare for vital future roles in developing Papua New Guinea."
The National Department of Education, Salvation Army PNG, and AusAID have worked together over the last two years to upgrade and construct these new school facilities including for Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE), also at the Boroko Salvation Army School. The Australian Government has provided K3.9 million to fund the program through the Australia-PNG Incentive Fund.
“Australia continues to work closely with PNG’s National Department of Education to improve the access and quality of primary education across PNG as covered under PNG’s Medium Term Development Strategy” said Mr Potts.
He highlighted the significant assistance that Australia already provides to PNG’s Education Sector through the aid program and in partnership with the PNG National Department of Education.
“By funding non-government organisations, like the Salvation Army, the Australian Government helps PNG to build on the work of the education department and expand the delivery of education we are seeing here today.”
New student enrolments will increase by 140 places from Grades 1 to 8, and the Flexible Open Distance Education facilities will be able to cater for an additional 105 students from grades 10 to 12. This provides a second chance to those students who have not been able to complete the formal education sector.
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