La Salle Technical Secondary School, formerly known as Hohola Youth Development Center, has undergone an incredible journey of growth and success.
Established in 1973 by the Australian Brigidine Catholic Sisters, the school was initially created to give a second chance to students who could not make it through the normal education system.
In 1993, the De La Salle Brothers took over the administration and began making changes. By 2000, the school introduced a mix of basic studies, practical subjects, and work experience to provide more hands-on learning giving a vocational feel.
Between 2012 and 2014, AusAID helped develop new learning facilities, which allowed the Hohola Youth Development Center to transition into La Salle Technical College. This change enabled the school to issue national certificates and supported 270 students to take the FODE National Examination.
In 2022, Brother Anthony, a former principal, returned to lead the school after leaving in 2017 for De La Salle Secondary at Bomama. His return coincided with the PNG Department of Education officially recognizing La Salle College as La Salle Technical Secondary School.
“I returned from De La Salle Secondary School because when the changes were happening, most teachers were underpaid, and students were struggling with the new system,” Brother Anthony said.
Determined to overcome these challenges, Brother Anthony and his team worked closely with students, teachers, and families to create a positive and supportive environment.
In 2023, La Salle Technical Secondary School admitted its first group of selected Grade 9 students. Brother Anthony described this as both a milestone and a challenge for the school, which had primarily served students who had dropped out before.
With this new group of Grade 9 students, the teachers and students focused on a shared goal: to secure a spot in the Top 10 of the Grade 10 National Examinations. Through hard work and commitment, the school not only achieved this goal but also surpassed expectations by ranking No. 1 in the country.
“It’s exciting for me and the whole school community,” Brother Anthony said.
“We worked very hard with the students. We knew they would perform well because of all the preparation we did last year and earlier this year. We thought we would make the top three. But when I heard we were number one, I was not surprised. Everyone, the teachers, students, and parents, was so happy. We expected it, and we made it happen.”
This achievement shows the power of teamwork, faith, and determination. La Salle Technical Secondary School’s journey from a youth development center to leading the Grade 10 National Examinations is proof that great things can happen when a community works together with a shared purpose.
The dedication of the teachers, the hard work of the students, and the strong support from families demonstrate how challenges can be turned into successes. Together, they have shown that by believing in each other and staying committed, it is possible to achieve even the biggest goals.