Sixteen secondary and Junior High schools in the National Capital District (NCD) are set to implement the Senisim Pasin Program.
This initiative follows a meeting between the sixteen secondary principals and junior high school headmasters and the PNG Tribal Foundation where the program was introduced.
The Senisim Pasin program is based on good values and servant leadership in partnership with Maxwell Leadership Foundation through roundtable sessions amongst students in schools.
Allan Jim, Education Department’s First Secretary of the Guidance and Counselling Division, Highlands and New Guinea Islands, who brought together the teachers, stated that it is important to start educating the younger generation to have a positive mindset.
He said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Tribal Foundation earlier this year, and a circular from Education Secretary, Dr Uke Kombra who instructed all schools to take on board the Senisim PNG Program that will run in all schools throughout the country this year.
“A teacher can prepare the best lesson in the morning, but if a student’s mind is not in the classroom, then he cannot concentrate in class.”
“If a child is carrying an illegal item or a weapon in his school bag going to school, how can we teach them discipline, teach them good values, or how can we change their behaviours?”
“It starts with individuals and us teachers when they enter our schools.”
Meanwhile, Senisim Pasin National Coordinator for Education, Manasseh Davey, said the change starts within individuals. Every student must take ownership of the program, which will change their lives.
“We have seen positive results from schools we’ve gone through. They are disciplined and practicing the values of respect, humility, integrity, adding value, responsibility, purpose, among others.”
“These values are there, but we don’t daily practice them or act on them as individuals.”
In addition, De La Salle Secondary School Principal, Ms. Annette Ingrid said their school started the program last week, with their Grade 10s and 12s as their first batch.
Despite a hectic schedule in preparation for the national examinations, they have scheduled students’ timetables to allow the sessions with the Senisim Pasin team for an hour every Wednesday afternoon.
Many principals and head teachers have shown interest and are willing to have more dialogue with Tribal Foundation within their schools in the coming weeks.
Marianville Catholic Secondary School Principal, Sr Freda Saura said they’ve seen a big shift in how girls are managing their social problems inside the school and personal issues before facing her office.
Maturity is being shown with respect and responsibility because of the Senisim Pasin Program.