Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has expressed Papua New Guinea's solidarity with King Charles III as the monarch begins his cancer treatment. The PM expressed this solidarity following the official announcement from Buckingham Palace earlier this week concerning the King's health. "King Charles has a long and personal relationship with Papua New Guinea, hence the thoughts and prayers of all our people are with him at this time," Marape affirmed. “Papua New Guinea remains united in its support for King Charles III during this challenging time, reflecting on the enduring relationship that has been nurtured over decades between the country and the British monarchy.” The PM recounted in a statement that King Charles's deep-rooted connection with the nation, highlighting his multiple visits and significant engagements throughout the years. "He has already made four visits to our country, with the fifth planned for September 16, 2025, as we celebrate 50 years of independence." Reflecting on the King's first visit in 1966 as an 18-year-old student from Australia, Marape shared that King Charles, who was then a Prince, visited the country and slept in a typical thatched-roof house in Popondetta as part of a student exchange program. Moreover, in 1975, at the age of 27, Prince Charles represented Queen Elizabeth to officiate the Independence of Papua New Guinea. This momentous occasion marked the transition from Australian rule to the birth of a new sovereign nation. "He (King Charles) joined in the celebrations, witnessing the lowering of the Australian flag and the hoisting of the new Papua New Guinean flag for the first time." In 1984, the then-Prince revisited to inaugurate Papua New Guinea's new Parliament House at Waigani, further cementing the bond between the two countries. "Today, it stands as a proud testament to the vibrancy of the democratic system of government we have inherited from Britain," the PM stated. Meanwhile, during his most recent visit in 2012, at the age of 64, the then Prince represented the Queen during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, underscoring his ongoing commitment to the country. "As can be seen, King Charles has been a part of our journey as a sovereign nation since 1975, and we have come to love and cherish him, just as we have loved and cherished his mother, our late Queen, over her long reign.” "There is no doubt the monarch has a soft spot for us as a people. His Majesty still holds dear his times spent in our country, as I noted when he accorded me the honour of meeting him in London in 2022, during the burial of his mother, our late Queen.” "In our meeting at Buckingham Palace, I extended an invitation to His Majesty to attend Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary celebrations in 2025, an invitation he graciously accepted."

The Ferguson Corporate Study Centre in Port Moresby yesterday hosted their Open Day at the Monian Tower to introduce and promote the common and new courses and programs provided by their prestigious establishment. Many Parent, Guardians and self-sponsored individuals were present during the Ferguson Study Centre Open Day to acquire as much information about the requirements and fees to better approach the opportunity. According to the Ferguson Study Centre Student Support Coordinator Mr. Komati Koi Jnr, all candidates of all ages willing to invest for themselves or others can apply. The courses and programs do not have an age range requirement, also the schedule is flexible for working candidates. Mr. Koi mentioned that almost all students want to study overseas and make a life overseas, and they can deliver that for them once all requirements are fulfilled by applicants. Furthermore, Mr. Koi stressed that the attention is focused on giving second chances to school leavers. As most are on the streets and unemployed. They are left out from the path of education in the Education system in Papua New Guinea due to limited space, especially during selections into universities and other institution of choice. “This opportunity will change their lives if they are prepared to move forward with it,” said Mr. Koi. The Ferguson Corporation has a high number of testimonies from students expressing the wonders achieved through accomplishing their studies and finding steady and decent jobs overseas; therefore, organization reassures any interested applicant that the Ferguson Education Corporate Study Centre is by far a genuine opportunity. “After accomplishing the courses, the student will be certified with an Australian accredited certificate. Addressing them to be more qualified in their field.” “We will assist the applicants when they have fulfilled their part, and this one chance will change their lives forever,” said Mr. Koi.

The SP PNG Hunters faced the Ipswich Jets in a trial match without several key players, who were sidelined due to injuries sustained during their inter-trial match at Santos National Football Stadium last weekend, as well as visa issues. The trial took place at Ipswich Jets’ home ground, North Ipswich Reserve. Despite the wet conditions, the first 20 minutes proved to be intriguing, with both teams displaying discipline and holding their defensive lines effectively. However, on the 30th minute mark, the Ipswich Jets broke through with a try by Paul Iopu, taking the lead 4-0, although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful. The SP PNG Hunters quickly retaliated with a try from Joshua Mire in the 34th minute. Sakias Komati’s successful conversion brought the score to 6-4 in favour of the Hunters by halftime. Entering the second half, the “Wizz Kid” Sany Wabo showcased his prowess by scoring two tries at the 43rd and 47th minutes. Tapia Solu successfully converted both tries, extending the SP PNG Hunters’ lead to 18-4 at full time. Coach Paul Aiton said: “I was really pleased with our effort today. There are still plenty of things to work on but I was just happy to see us execute a lot of things we have been working on this pre-season.” The SP PNG Hunters are expected to play another trial match on the 24th February against the CQ Capras in Gladstone. For more information, please email media@pnghunters.com Thank you for your support. Source: pnghunters.com

In a heartwarming testament to resilience and determination, Tracy Thomas, a single mother for the past decade, beams with pride as she witnesses her eldest son embarking on his journey into higher education at the University of Technology. After completing his studies at Mt Hagen Secondary School last year, her son's admission into university marks a significant milestone for the family. Tracy, a mother of three boys, reflects on the challenges she has faced since her husband's passing a decade ago. Raising three boys single-handedly presented numerous obstacles, yet Tracy's unwavering commitment and perseverance have led to this triumphant moment. "For the past ten years it's been a challenge, but I never gave up hope. I wanted to provide the best opportunities for my sons, despite the circumstances." Her dedication has paid off as she proudly watches her eldest son step into the next phase of his academic journey. As her second son enters grade 9 this year and the youngest continues his education in grade 4, Tracy remains steadfast in her resolve to support them every step of the way. Hailing from Ilaibu in the Southern Highlands province, Tracy embarked on a poignant journey from Mt Hagen to Lae city alongside her sister and two elder sons to bid farewell to her son as he begins his university life. Although it marks the first time her son will be away from home, Tracy believes in his ability to thrive, instilled with the discipline and values she has imparted over the years. "It's a bittersweet moment seeing him leave home, but I have faith in him. He's been raised with discipline and determination, and I know he'll make us proud." Tracy's story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the strength and resilience of single mothers who tirelessly strive to provide a better future for their children. As her son sets out on his academic journey, Tracy stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of love, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the face of adversity.

An elderly woman lost her life in the late afternoon of Thursday 08th February in the city of Port Moresby after she was hit and run over by a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) bus at Gordons. The dreadful incident occurred at the Gordons Police Barracks gate between 5pm and 6pm involving a route number 6 bus. The accident left the community in shock and mourning. According to Gabriel Kini, the Police Station Commander (PSC) for Gordons, the victim, identified as an elderly woman believed to be from Morobe province and residing at ATS, was fatally struck by the bus while attempting to cross the road near the Gordons roundabout. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moment when the speeding bus collided with the unsuspecting pedestrian, resulting in fatal injuries. Shockingly, as passengers onboard the bus screamed in terror, the driver allegedly proceeded to drive over the victim once more. In the aftermath of the accident, the Gordons police responded and apprehended the PMV driver and handed him over to Traffic Police for further questioning as authorities seek to piece together the events leading up to the incident. The PMV bus involved was also impounded. The deceased woman was transported to the Port Moresby General Hospital by a St John Ambulance team. Following the tragic accident, PSC Kini wants pedestrians in Port Moresby to exercise heightened caution when out and about as there are unlicensed and learner drivers on the roads every day. Pedestrians are urged to remain cautious and alert at all times, prioritizing their safety at all times.

Busu Secondary School's Principal, Mr. George Noble, has voiced worries over the burgeoning student population in classrooms, citing its detrimental impact on academic performance. According to Noble, classrooms are overcrowded, surpassing their intended capacities, which jeopardizes students' educational outcomes. "The high number of students in classrooms hinders effective supervision and assessment by teachers," stated Mr. Noble. He emphasized that the increased student-to-teacher ratio makes it challenging for educators to provide individualized attention, especially to slower learners, thus impeding overall academic progress. Several schools in Lae city also echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the alarming rise in student-to-teacher ratio. Teachers are compelled to distribute tasks to students without adequate time for personalized assistance or supervision. Furthermore, limited space exacerbates the situation, hindering teachers' mobility within classrooms. With insufficient room to maneuver, educators are constrained to deliver lessons and assign tasks without the opportunity for active engagement with students. "In the past, the student-to-teacher ratio was manageable at around 1 to 35 or 1 to 40. However, this figure has surged to as high as 1 to 50 or 1 to 60," Mr. Noble remarked. A teacher-to-student ratio of 1:40 allows for more personalized attention and assessment, enabling educators to address individual learning needs. The escalating student numbers presents a pressing concern for educational institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to alleviate overcrowding and ensure optimal learning environments for students.

This is a young musician’s story about his love of music and the efforts he invested in transforming an incomplete bush material house into a music home production studio, even though he does not have proper equipment to set up a home production. Young Samuel Robert hails from the Tewai Siassi District of Morobe province. He did not complete his grade ten studies in 2014 because he had leave school to stay home following the closure of his school due to continuous fights in the area. His love for music started when he was still a little boy, spending time with his mother and learning to play the ukulele at the age of six in Aronai village. He then learnt to play the guitar and other musical instruments and when he was 15 years of age, his brother, who leads a local band called “Arona Waves,” identified his talent and engaged him to play with his band in and around the area. Samuel’s musical skills gradually grew as he demonstrated his willingness to learn on playing at open settings and gatherings. One of the country’s famous local artists Luke Banag from Madang also identified his talent in Tewai Siassi when he made a tour around the area in 2014. Luke Banag identified Samuel when he played one of his local hit song after his brother went for a break at a concert. Samuel later enjoyed a tour around Tewai Siassi with Luke Banag for a month before Luke returned to Madang. After that experience, that feeling of playing with the famous local artist gave him confidence to continue to develop his musical skills. Not only this, Samuel also learnt on how to fix electronic items like radios, calculators and hand watches. He then learnt to fix mobile phones and laptops. He used his musical and technical skills to earn a living in the village during his teenage years and in 2015 he left his home and moved on to Lae city to look for better means to further his studies, but he couldn’t. He ended up deciding to have a family and to make a living out of his skills. He met a young girl from Kapmewang village in Wain Erap Local Level Government in Nawaeb district, got married that same year and travelled to Lae. The young skilled man then got an opportunity to market his skills through his marriage connection. He got himself into church and social activities in the area and that enabled him to market his talents. Samuel started getting recognition from the communities for his technical and musical talents and youths would arrive at his home for him to serve them. He then saw youths’ interests from his in laws area and Erap together. Most of the youths’ interests were mostly in music and so he started a mini home production using scrap materials he owned. Samuel installed a musical recording software on a laptop and tried it out and it worked. Youths would flood his home to see for themselves on how he would handle the recording software. Samuel continuously played on the FL Studio demo version and discovered the secrets of its operations. He then downloaded the version 12 of the same software and installed it on his laptop and started working on few songs he knew of. Gradually, the young boys from villages who share the same border with Kabwum, invited him to go do their recording. He travelled with his laptop, made a setup and completed their recording within a month. He learnt from his own experiences and started a little production fee of K50 with the local boys. When Samuel returned home, youths from his wife’s village showed interests also to do recording. He did a small set up within the house where he lives and started recording music for free to engage interested youths. In 2019, Samuel recorded an awareness information about one of the World Visions program on public health, which was scripted and voice by a young boy in the same village where he lives. In 2022, he recorded a campaign song for the current Nawaeb Member of Parliament Theo Pelgen, when he first showed his intention to contest the seat. Two of his audio recordings went viral in the area, which then saw more youths flooded his home showing interests to do recording. Just recently, Samuel sourced the assistance of a freelance journalist to help him to connect with the radio stations, so that he could share his music recordings for them to air on the respective platforms and programs. The young musician currently has in his possession four channel amplifier and mixer, Rhodes microphone condenser, one sided low beam speaker, one sided woofer and a laptop with FL 21 version for recording music. Samuel said these equipment are not enough to create a best recording studio but this won’t stop him. He said he will continue to do what he loves doing despite major challenges he is facing in terms of having proper a setup. His current production fees for music alone is K100 and K50 for video production.

The Ferguson Education and Migration Corporate Centre today held their Open Day at their Port Moresby Study Center at the Monian Tower, for those interested to further their studies. The event started with a Live-Video-Meeting introduction and briefing by the Visionary Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Ian Ferguson, regarding the advantages of the online and daily classes that are available in the country and in Australia for interested candidates who seek to develop or advance in their educational background. The Ferguson Education Port Moresby Study Centre aim is to promote the opportunity for students to have a better education with better resources locally and overseas. Applicants who are prepared to fulfil the overseas requirements and fees will be assisted with student-Visa preparation, accommodation and a working permit for job searches to acquire a sustainable lifestyle overseas. Mr. Ferguson stressed that overseas job opportunities provide a decent salary for working-students. With a high number of Courses and Programs offered by the Ferguson Education and Migration Centre, the Open Day today only scratched the surface of the opportunities awaiting the young students who seek to broaden and experience the lifestyle and education facilities overseas. During the video-Session Mr. Ferguson stressed the meaning of education and how it can be used to bring a healthy lifestyle for students with their family and loved ones. “The testimonials recorded on our Facebook page will help you understand the perspective of acquiring the proper and effective study needed to take control of your life, to steer yourself into your future as a young man or women.” “You can see that your life will change, to be different for the better of you and your family.” Mr. Ferguson also stated that the certificate acquired will be internationally recognized, something that is beneficial to the students.

The Central Province’s ambulance service stands as a beacon of hope and care for the community with teams responding to emergencies on a day-to-day basis. The Executive Director of Ambulance Operations, S/asst. Commander, Mr. Terence Torea, in a statement addressing the media’s enquiries about the Central Province Ambulance Service, said this was evident last year with the ambulance service responding to some 3, 800 emergency cases in the province. According to Mr. Torea, the Ambulance service operation is bolstered by three reservist stations strategically located in Bereina, Kuriva, and Kupiano, enszuring comprehensive coverage across the province. Additionally, ambulance units and response vehicles from the National Capital District (NCD) are frequently mobilized to support cases in Central Province. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing coordinated, timely and critical care to those in need, regardless of the challenges presented by distance, funding or terrain.” “Each call for help is met with support, whether it takes us across the street or as far as Kupiano, ensuring that every patient receives the care they need. Our Mission extends beyond the immediate response; it’s about preserving lives, reducing maternal and infant mortality, preventing loss of life from snakebite, and providing a lifeline to most vulnerable among us.” He added that the importance of this service cannot be overstated, especially considering the vast areas they cover and the reliance on the single level 6 hospital being in Port Moresby for many of the patients from Central province. St. John Ambulance (SJA) team are immensely proud of the strong partnership that they have fostered with the Central Provincial Health Authority and are continually inspired by the incredible work of health workers, nurses, and doctors. The ambulance service’s reach are broad, from snakebites to maternal emergencies, from trauma to respiratory crises as each day brings new challenges that the skilled ambulance teams, equipped with basic life support systems in collaboration with dedicated SJA doctors and the Central Provincial Health Authority, meet with professionalism and care. “The support we provide, especially in life-threatening situations like severe snakebite cases, is crucial to saving lives.” However, Mr. Torea further stated that the financial reality of maintaining such an essential service, presents its challenges. “The ambulance service’s true cost is approximately K 1.8 million, however the Central provincial government’s annual contribution is K200, 000 annually, the gap is significant. The St John ambulance service must scramble each year to fundraise some K 1.6 million to keep the service reliable and sustainable in Central Province.” Meanwhile, despite this challenge, the ambulance service remains committed to offering vital services free of charge to those in emergency need, recognizing the difficult circumstances many in the province face. “The Service’s dedication to public health care is unwavering, driven by a deep understanding of the community’s needs and the critical role we play in meeting them.” “As a community organization, SJA welcomes the support of all stakeholders in this vital mission, as we continue to work tirelessly to save lives and improve health outcomes for our community,” he said.

The Busu Secondary School in Morobe province, facing overcrowding at the onset of the new school year, is urgently appealing for financial assistance totaling between K50, 000 to K100, 000 to construct additional classrooms. The school principal, Mr. George Noble, has emphasized the necessity of building a new classroom to accommodate the increased number of year 9 and 10 students. Mr. Noble has directed his appeal to Governor Luther Wenge and the Morobe Provincial Government, urging them to allocate funds for at least a double classroom. He stressed the importance of proper infrastructure to complement the right to education for all students. "We are the people on the ground, teachers, the school management, and everyone involved in the school. Despite the trust placed in us to manage the student numbers, we are faced with a situation beyond our control," stated Noble. The Education Division had requested the school's capacity assessment, but despite providing accurate student numbers, the intake at Busu Secondary, much like Lae Secondary, Malahang, Bugandi, and other schools in the province, has exceeded manageable levels. "This year marks the most challenging in terms of student enrollment for Busu Secondary. The school is grappling with overcrowded classrooms, posing significant challenges for teaching staff and management," Noble remarked. As a model school for Morobe Province, Busu Secondary is highly sought after by parents and students alike, worsening the space constraints. Principal Noble highlighted that current classrooms can only accommodate 40-50 students, yet each grade 9 class is allocated 70 students. Typically enrolling 350 students across seven classes for grades 9 and 10, this year, the number has surged to 516. Some students, including those who withdrew in the previous year (2023) due to genuine reasons, have been readmitted, bringing the total to 540-545 students. "I am uncertain about the cause of this increase, but with the construction of a new classroom and adequate resources, we can ensure that all students are accommodated and cared for within the school," added Noble. With such large class sizes, individual interaction between teachers and students is compromised, potentially affecting the quality of education outcomes. Therefore, the urgency for additional infrastructure and resources is paramount to maintain educational standards at Busu Secondary School.

Situated along the Okuk Highway just before reaching the Kerowagi-Koronigle Junction is the Don Bosco Simbu Technical College, a college unlike any other where students stepping into its gates, walk out two to three years later as leaders in their own fields. This year, student registrations at the Don Bosco Simbu Technical College officially opened on the 29th January and closed on the 9th of February for the online selected students, but the administration will still be allowing registration to continue until the 22nd of February to allow for the non-school leavers as well as give time for continuing students to travel to the school. Rector of DBSTC, Fr. Clifford Morais stated that they have extended registration dates to give time to parents and guardians to look for financial support for their children as most students had lost their HECAS scholarships due to the GPA increase to 2.8. “Most of our students are facing financial struggles right now with the GPA pushed up to 2.8, it has become difficult for them. They have to find money for their airfares, boarding and school fees as well as their expenses when travelling up here.” “This situation has now put big pressure on the parents of students with the recent looting affecting their work, hence affecting their financial support to their children.” He mentioned that some first year students have opted to securing spaces in other schools within their provinces due to the fear of travelling to a new school with a new environment and new people to get used to. “We have seen a drop in number of the first years coming in this year. So far, we have an estimate of 275 students already registered and that is about half of our entire student body because each year we have a total of around 550-560 students enrolled.” Fr. Clifford stated that students enrolled this year can look forward to a better learning environment as the teachers and administration have put effort into creating a more ambient space in the school. Additionally, he said that the school is working on installing a WiFi network on which students will have access to their tests and assignments online. “We are still purchasing equipment bit by bit but we have already installed the wireless network for our school WiFi as we plan to introduce online-learning here at DBSTC to create a wider network coverage for our students.” “So, even if students are sick and have to miss school, they can still login online and follow up on what is being taught in the classrooms.” Furthermore, Fr. Clifford stated that Don Bosco Simbu Technical College will launch its website on the 21st of March, 2024, making it the first college to be working wireless in the region and will be working on introducing its Diploma in Carpentry and Diploma in Instrumentation Courses in the coming year. “We have authorities from DHERST come in each year and they have helped us work on our programs for 2025.” Meanwhile, Don Bosco Simbu as well as many of the Don Bosco schools in Papua New Guinea have taught students to be good servants and honest citizens, who are currently a huge group not only in the Mechanical and Technical fields, but also in other career paths. “We are proud to see our past students working in good companies. It is what drives and motivates us to do better and upgrade ourselves for our students’ better learning experiences in preparation for the field of work.”

In a significant development for the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF), the Air Transport Wing's latest acquisition, P2-703, soared through its maiden flight with flying colors on February 7th. Under the skilled command of Major Hepota, assisted by Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander Tim Shaw, gracefully navigated the skies, marking a historic moment for the PNGDF. Acting PNGDF Commander, Commodore Philip Polewara, put the final seal of approval on P2-703, formalizing its position as an essential part of the PNGDF aircraft fleet under the strict regulations of the PNG Defense Aviation Safety Framework. This achievement highlights the close collaboration between Australia and PNG through the Defense Cooperation Program. The program's focus on increasing PNGDF's independent aviation skills includes the recent gifting of two PAC-750 aircraft in 2023, further strengthening the partnership between the two nations. The successful initial flight of P2-703 not only signifies a leap forward in PNGDF's operational capacity, but also highlights the ongoing commitment to regional security and cooperation between PNG and Australia. With P2-703 now in service, the PNGDF is better equipped to fulfill its crucial role in safeguarding the nation's interests and contributing to regional stability.