Rabaul District is looking now to re-establish Rabaul High School, a former leading provider of quality education in East New Britain Province.
The school was destroyed by the 1994 volcanic eruptions, and its re-establishment is a vision of the Member for Rabaul, Dr. Allan Marat in response to current education reform aimed at meeting better education standards in Rabaul District.
According to Rabaul District Administrator, Mr. Freddy Lemeki, the project will address overcrowding currently experienced at Boisen Secondary School and Malaguna Technical Secondary School in Rabaul and provide improved facilities for better learning outcomes.
A funding of K700, 000 has been allocated from District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) Former Years for awareness and phase one works including land survey, site clearance and grubbing to take place.
Mr. Lemeki said there is a need to re-establish Rabaul High School to address the growing number of students traveling to other districts, such as Kokopo and Gazelle, to attend institutions, which is time-consuming and risky.
He said this has also contributed to the evident number of unemployed youths in Rabaul who lack education and cannot secure employment, leading to law-and-order problems.
Early this month, an awareness team comprising officers from various government sectors, including Community Development, infrastructure, lands, information, police, and environmental health, conducted awareness activities at the old site outside Rabaul town.
The awareness will pave the way for grubbing and clearance to follow.
“We must involve locals in the re-development exercise to ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed.”
He also highlighted the need to preserve the cultural heritage and history of Rabaul High School, which has produced many elites and leaders in the province, district, and country.
Furthermore, he said as one of the nine Strategic Result Areas, Rabaul District Administration through its Education Sector, is committed to improving educational facilities to enhance learning.
Meanwhile, the Rabaul District Administration is looking forward to working with the local community and stakeholders to ensure the successful re-establishment of Rabaul Provincial High School.