Early Childhood Education is a vital field in education that requires collaboration from all partners in the field to successfully implement. Kindergarten 1 (for children aged 4) and Kindergarten 2 (for children aged 5) make up the new Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector. The ECE is scheduled to start in 2025 when new schools register. The foundation of the ECE curriculum is centred on GOD and the Bible, with emphasis on phonics and attaining key learning areas through established routines, play-based learning, and assessments. In addition, the Ministry for Education will acquire new teachers who fulfill qualification requirements in the new sector. The delivery of early childhood education programs in the provinces and districts is still in its infancy, but it is gradually gaining traction with the help of development partners, according to the present Senior Education Officers Conference taking place in Vanimo, West Sepik. A National ECE Taskforce has been formed recently and will work with provincial steering committees to give guidance and advice on its implementation progress. The Department of Education is appreciative of its partners such as Partnerships for Education (PIE), Save the Children and NGOs that are already implementing ECE in the provinces. In a very supportive call and in his opening remarks at the Vanimo conference, the Minister for Education, Lucas Dekena MP, called for Early Childhood Education to be given priority and be implemented starting in 2025.

The stage is set for the 2024 Ela Motors SME Awards Nominations, and now open including digital nominations from July 18th to August 31st, for all Small Medium Enterprises Nationwide. Walk-in nominations and enquiries can now be done at the CT Hub Hauswin, located opposite Hombina Grill and Café on Thursdays 7 am – 9 am, and online nominations can be on the PNG SME Awards. With only 10 categories in the first ever SME awards in 2020, this year 2024 will have an impressive number of 37 awards to be presented from 16 different categories recognizing diverse SME divisions throughout the nation. The 37 awards include the agriculture category achieving a triumphant return emphasizing the importance of rural development and sustainable practices, introducing five new awards in Tourism and Culture, ICT, Professional Services, and Transport representing a sensitive aspect in the nature of SME contribution. This including Five Additional Awards shine a spotlight on the individual champions from Private Sector, Government, or Non-Government Organizations who have showed commitment to promote and empower SMS’s and Foster sustainable growth. The highly anticipated 2024 Ela Motors SME Awards will bring together a great sum of small diverse business form across the Nation and celebrates its 5th Anniversary with it long serving sponsors TE PNG, CPL Group, Mama Bank, Mi Bank. This will further honour the reliance and innovations of Papua New Guinea‘s Small and Medium Sized Enterprises with recent partners like Credit Corp and Moni Plus. The 2024 Ela Motors SME Award would not be possible with the support and thanks to 2024 Naming Rights Sponsor Ela Motors, Gold Sponsor BSP and Category Award Naming Sponsors Womens Micro Bank, Kina Bank, Mi Bank, Moni Plus, Tisa Community Finance, Credit Reporter, TE PNG, Kacific, City Pharmacy, Hardware Haus, Stop & Shop and PNG Protein Park. Online nominations can also be done from the PNG SME Awards website and closing on August 21st 2024. The 2024 Ela Motors SME Awards will commence at the Awards Gala Dinner in October 2024.

The newly established Lae Pickleball Club will introduce the exciting Pickleball Doubles Tournament on Sunday 11th & 18th August at the Lae Gold Club, Morobe Province. Being almost two months old and being the first tournament of pickleball, it will be coordinated by the Lae Pickleball club, Boroko Motors and the Lae Golf Club and proudly sponsored by the Boroko Motors, Ramu Sugar, Lae Biscuit Corporation. • Boroko Motors: Sporting Equipment and Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Placing. • Ramu Sugar: Complimentary Incentives giveaways- best player awards • Lae Biscuit Co: Complimentary Incentives giveaways- Most Improved Awards The event will accommodate registered individuals or groups including club members and invited guests, participation include young adults aged from 15 years old and above. Tournament Coordinator Mr. Denis Seeto told PNG HAUSBUNG that the idea for the pickleball tournament was grasped during a family game in Brisbane which caught Mr. Seeto’s attention immediately after a few games. It amplified the fun and approachable nature and its gentle impact on the body, making it a healthy and suitable choice for cross-training and ideal for senior aged at 70 and above. Mr. Denis Seeto emphasized its long-term goal to launch a corporate competition in Lae for companies and employees. To consider adding pickleball to the sporting competition list for corporate competitions in Lae among Corporate Bowls, Darts, Golf, and Tennis competitions at the Golf Club., would be providing more opportunities for participation and add to the variety of events in the Golf Club's lineup. “It is not common to find a sport that can be played competitively from childhood to advocate senior aged and pickleball fits exceptionally well into that category.” “I think pickleball is a life-long sport, offering the possibility of playing well into one’s 80’s.” Mr. Seeto expressed excitement for the event to enlist interested participants for regular competitions and in hopes of support to make pickleball a reality in Lae and possibly the first competition in Papua New Guinea.

Acting Commander of National Capital District and Central Province Assistant commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Guinness has urged church leaders to remove their church structures voluntarily in the eviction site in Nine Mile, Bush Wara. According to the reports provided by police officers at the eviction site, the majority of the squatters have already voluntarily vacated the area. ACP Peter Guinness said reports also confirmed that some of the church structures at the eviction sites are yet to be removed voluntarily. He said three other church buildings from different denominations are still up which is not good while the seventh Day Adventist Church in the eviction had been voluntarily removed by the congregation. “I was expecting the church leaders to lead by example after several awareness had been done.” “The people must understand that it’s a court order all structures erected on the land portions mentioned in the court order must be removed.” “I am once again calling on the church leaders to voluntarily remove the structures.” “My police officers and I do not want to be liable for not properly enforcing the court order.” “So we are asking you to remove the structures.” “If the SDA congregation can remove their church I see no excuse for others,” ACP Guinness said. ACP Guinness further added that enough awareness had been given and everyone had moved out except the churches. He is calling on the responsible authorities responsible with land titles to properly educate the public. He said the public need to know where the customary and state land is and people must be educated so they will not regret it later.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru announced the East New Britain (ENB) Province is set to develop two new potential Special Economic Zones (SEZs) - Rabaul Free Port and Tokua Airport City. Minister Maru made this announcement on July 12th, following the ground-breaking ceremony of the Tokua-Kokopo 17km 4-lane road construction and the recent decision to lift the moratorium on Rabaul town by the National Executive Council (NEC) so that it can be redeveloped to its former glory. “The proposed Rabaul Free Port will be anchored on the current wharf and the new wharf development for tourist cruise liners in Rabaul, the K230 million Tokua-Kokopo 4-lane road and the Tokua Airport Redevelopment will complement the proposed Tokua Airport City development,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru said that it is a historic milestone made by the Marape-Rosso Government to redevelop Rabaul town and to encourage investments in Rabaul, however, most investors will fear the risk of the volcano that may erupt again, so encouraging investors to come to Rabaul will be the focus as well. "As the Minister responsible for SEZs, my view is to establish Rabaul as a Free Port so we can offer the investors an incentive package like tax holiday and duty-free market access if they decide to invest in Rabaul. This is to attract investors so they can recover their initial investments quickly without worrying about paying taxes. This incentive is for a very specific area within Rabaul that is prone to ash fall and will suffer in the event of a future major volcanic eruption, and a defined area where investors cannot insure their businesses on the damage done due to volcanic eruptions.” Minister Maru also met with the Governor of ENB Province, Michael Marum and the Provincial Administration in Kokopo and agreed to look at a second SEZ in ENB Province around Tokua. “We plan to develop an Airport City concept similar to Denarau in Nadi, Fiji, at Tokua, where we will build the hotels, the golf course, the shopping malls, and other tourism products around the airport to attract tourists. Also, involving the extension and development of the airport from domestic to international to get direct flights from countries like Japan. We plan to offer a special package for investors to invest around Tokua- this is what we are discussing with the leaders of East New Britain and the Provincial Administration.” Maru also made it clear that the Tokua Airport City will not be possible without all the land being acquired and reserved for that purpose first. “So, we must not allow anybody to buy land around Tokua. The State has to seriously start acquiring this land so it can be reserved for the purpose of airport city development,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru further added that ENB province has a lot of potential in tourism given they have a volcano, friendly people, unique culture, the war relics, and less crime rates. “All we have to do is come up with a development plan and offer the fiscal incentives through the SEZ package that our government can offer. These two proposed SEZs will create 20,000 to 50, 000 new jobs in the manufacturing, downstream processing, and in the tourism sector,” he said. “The National Government is very keen to work with the East New Britain Provincial Government and its administration to unleash the potential that we see in this province because when we develop the potential of this province, we are also building our country.” For that to happen, he said the National Government and the Provincial Government must invest in putting the enablers like water, power, roads, sewerage, and allow the private sector to come in and invest. Minister Maru clarified and added that his ministry will work closely with the Tourism Promotion Authority and SEZ Authority to develop these two potential SEZs and any area outside Rabaul, and the proposed Tokua Airport City will have to apply for an SEZ license if it is to be developed. “Our government’s priority will be Rabaul Free Port and Tokua Airport City, but there are also other potential sites in East New Britain Province that can be utilized as SEZs, including the Lassul Bay, Kerevat, and Open Bay. Each of these areas will be considered on their own merit on a case-by-case basis,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru concluded and highlighted that all SEZs around the country will be established under one national legislation- the SEZ Act 2019 (amended).

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru recently on the 12th of July announced that the National Government will be investigating the East New Britain (ENB) Palm Oil Limited, following numerous complaints from the oil palm growers who claimed to be under paid for the last ten years. When comparing prices, they have been getting to what the farmers in West New Britain are getting up to about K500 per metric ton. They claim that the company has been robbing them when prices are very high in the global market as is the case today. Growers in ENB have stopped selling palm oil to a Malaysian company for over nine weeks now due to a consistent payment of K16 per ton of palm oil in the last ten years. Minister Maru stated, “I am not happy with this Oil Palm Company. When the farmers do not sell the oil palm the country will not generate exports. In the last ten years the average global price for palm oil stood at USD886 per metric ton and the New Britain Palm Oil report in 2022 confirmed that the farm gate price of palm oil was over K800 per ton. Whilst there have been changes in palm oil price in the world market leading to changes in the farm gate prices, the East New Britain Palm Oil Limited have been paying the farmers in the Gazelle Peninsular only K16 per ton for the last ten years and totally ripping off our people." "This is a very serious matter, and this company needs to be investigated. We cannot have foreign companies behaving like this as our people claim. They could have been robbing them of millions of kina. While this is what the farmers are claiming, the National Government has to do an investigation to hear both sides and look at how we can resolve this problem in the long term." "We will not hesitate to extend the investigation to other areas as I am getting similar complaints from other farmers and landowners from other oil palm project areas around the country. The complains from the Kokopo and Gazelle farmers may be just the tip of the iceberg on the rot in the industry when it comes to landowner benefits from the development on their land and their sweat and labour. The Government will have to act so we can get a far better package to encourage our people to free up land for oil palm development," said Minister Maru. Minister Maru further said these complaints will not be taken lightly by the Marape-Rosso Government and assured the growers that the Government will respond immediately. Minister emphasized his close collaboration with Minister for Oil Palm to finalize the terms of reference for the investigation of this company. “A lawyer and a chartered accountant with a global recognized oil palm industry expert will investigate this company, including the issue of ownership, the different packages they have in place for large-scale palm oil estates, and the land titles as we understand that this company owns none of the land that it is operating on.” "We are told all the land is owned by the landowners and our people in the province. The team will also compare the benefits to other palm oil growing provinces in the country. These will be part of the investigation,” said Minister Maru.

Seven young Papua New Guineans part of Air Niugini’s National Pilot Cadet Program left the country over the weekend to commence their initial 18 months pilot training at Flight Training Adelaide, in South Australia. Stephen Nialir, Vincent Yandawai, Shirley Ambang, Edward Bare, Emmanuel Kukyuwa, Thaddeus Kobal and Wari Willie were carefully chosen from over 3, 000 young men and women from around PNG who applied, after successfully passing rigorous and thorough selection criteria in Air Niugini’s Pilot Cadet Program in December 2023. Those shortlisted went through an intensive selection process which included academic ability, internal aptitude tests and interviews conducted by both Flight Training Adelaide and Air Niugini to ensure only the top performing candidates were selected. Air Niugini’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gary Seddon while meeting with the seven cadets and their parents to sign contracts last Friday, made it very clear that by the time, the cadets get checked in line, the airline would have invested a million kina on each of them. Mr. Seddon added that Air Niugini expects nothing but excellence and professionalism, urging the young Cadets to stay focused and disciplined. “Your parents are very proud of you. We are proud of you. A lot of time and effort has been spent to get you to where you are today. Do not underestimate the size of the privilege that has been given to you. You are now ambassadors of not only Air Niugini, but Papua New Guinea.” “It may be exciting for you right now, however there will also be challenges, temptations, high points and lows. Therefore, be focused, use your best judgement and embrace the opportunities provided to you. If you need support, there are always people here at Air Niugini who will help, guide and mentor you throughout your training. “Mr Seddon said A cadet himself 32 years ago, General Manager, Flight Operations and Training Captain on the Boeing 767 aircraft, Captain Samiu Taufa said being a pilot is an incredibly rewarding career and the cadet program is a pathway to making that dream become a reality. He echoed similar sentiments to the acting CEO, giving his own experience, emphasising the importance of discipline and good habits. “You have been chosen to commence a very rewarding but difficult program, in a highly regulated industry with primary focus on safety and security. You have passed the entrance exams. Now the work begins. Starting off with good, sober habits and discipline will take you a long way. The training is difficult, but not impossible. Do not waste this opportunity,” Captain Taufa said. The cadets will graduate with their Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) and multi-engine instrument rating following the effective completion of their 18 months training. They will later return to Air Niugini and continue their inflight training as Cadets. After an eight-year break in the program, Air Niugini’s cadet pilot program was reintroduced last year (2023) by the Acting CEO. “There is a global shortage of experienced pilots. Air Niugini is innovating and developing the next generation, future proofing our longer-term requirements.” Air Niugini has graduated 84 national pilots since the inception of the cadet pilot training program, who now serve in the flight crew of all Air Niugini’s aircraft from Dash 8s to Q400, Fokker 70, F100, Boeing 737 and the B767 aircraft, and major airlines around the world.

The Kroton Hela Wigmen thrashed the PRK Gulf Isou with a 20-point lead in yesterday's round 14 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup match at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby city. The first few minutes of the first half of the match was tough with both sides showing off their attack and defence strategies played out on the field; however, it was on the 8th minute that the Hela boys broke through with center Juniou Igila scoring the first try for the Hela Wigmen followed by a successful conversion kick by hooker, Trevor Solu. The same was repeated by the Wigmen on the 26th minute with winger Komi Tony scoring another try followed by another successful conversion. As the match went on, the Gulf boys did not just let the Hela Wigmen tries go unanswered. The Gulf Isou responded with a successful try by Joseph Heni followed by a successful conversion kick. The Gulf boys trailed the Wigmen 6- 12 as the went into half time. The second half did not change much for the Gulf Isou as the Wigmen controlled every minute of the game, opening windows of opportunity scoring 3 tries by Seril Seiba in the 55th minute, Norman Brown in the 57th minute and Juniou Igila claiming his second try before the full-time hooter. The final score, Kroton Hela Wigmen 26 while the PRK Gulf Isou 6. The Hela Wigmen’s win on Sunday is their 6th win in the season while the Gulf Isou remain on the losing streak since round 1. Following their victory, the Hela Wigmen fortified their 7th place position on the points ladder, solidifying their position in the top 8. The Wigmen now look to round 15 to face the KMH Enga Mioks on Sunday July 28th at 2:00 pm at the Aipus Oval, Enga province.

The SP PNG Hunters triumphed over the Central Queensland (CQ) Capras in Round 18 of the Queensland Host Plus Cup 42-28 in their home game yesterday at the Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby. The SP Hunters kicked off the game and were very confident in attack and defence despite the Capras forward lock Lachlan Hubner scoring the first try in the 13th minute followed by a failed conversion by fullback Blake Moore. The first try begged for a response from the PNG boys as the SP Hunters became more involved in their attack and defence, exhausting their opponent. This allowed SP Hunters hooker, Judah Rimbu to score the first for the SP Hunters followed by two more by halfback Joshua Lau and center Alex Max. The CQ Capras responded with one more try by center Robert Jennings ending the first half. The second half saw both teams hardened their attack and defence in the rest of the remaining 40 minutes. Hunters scored 4 tries by winger Brandon Nima, while prop interchange Valentine Richard and Joshua Lau scored two more tries. However, the lead didn’t waver the CQ Capras as they put down three more tries in the second half by second rower Tom Farr, while fullback Blake Moore scored two tries before full time. The CQ Capras seem to find their rhythm but was out of time, leaving the SP hunters already at a secure point margin of 42-28. This is the SP Hunters their 3rd win following their bye in round 15, and the home ground victory now confirms the Hunters’ top 8 spot in the Host plus Cup Points Ladder. The SP PNG Hunters will be on Bye this weekend for round 19.

Milestone man Ben Hunt has always said whenever the call comes through to represent Queensland in State of Origin – it’s one he will answer. His never say no mindset will see him play in his 20th match for the Maroons next Wednesday night, earning him a FOGS Dick “Tosser” Turner medal, something the Queensland hooker said was “a huge honour” to achieve. “I was always happy just to play one, but to get to 20 is a massive achievement and something I am very proud of,” Hunt said. “You look at the list of the guys that have made it and to be in their company is something I am very proud of and honoured to share the Tosser (Turner) Medal (with them).” Hunt – who has been sharing the hooking duties in recent series with Harry Grant – made his Queensland debut off the bench in the 2017 decider at Suncorp Stadium, the venue for next week’s series closer and has experienced the highs and lows of Origin. Coming out the other side of the team’s heavy loss in Game Two, Hunt was hoping to see the team learn from their poor performance and turn things around. After claiming Game One in Sydney, the Maroons have previously gone on to win seven series (1988, 1995, 1998, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2022) and lose only one (1994), with Hunt keen to play in front of a home crowd to try and clinch another decider. “It was definitely a bad defeat down in Melbourne and something that we are looking to improve on,” Hunt said. “We had a look at the Melbourne game, and it was definitely a tough watch, that is for sure. Billy [Slater] definitely had honest conversations with a fair few of us.” “I don’t think there were many guys in that game that could say they played a good game of footy. It was a tough video session, but one we needed.” “In 2022, we had a pretty bad loss in Game Two and came to Brisbane and won in a tight game. I think it is going to be like that Wednesday night. It is going to be a tough battle and a tight game and one both teams are going to be up for. We just need to draw on everything we can, embrace the crowd at Suncorp and get a win.” “Coming back to Suncorp, it is always the place we play our best footy. It is our home ground and a place where you don’t like to lose. It brings out the best in us.” Now 34 years old, the St George Illawarra Dragons captain and halfback has plenty of experience to share with the Queensland squad, but his advancing age – and that of his skipper Daly Cherry-Evans – have seen questions asked about if this will be his final campaign in maroon. “It could be. It is not something I have given a lot of thought to,” Hunt said. “At the moment, I am enjoying playing Origin. Towards the end of the year of in the off-season, I might have a think about that, but at the moment I am enjoying myself.” “I have always said that as long as Billy is going to call, I’d be happy to play.” "It is always a huge honour to play Origin, but I think it is going to come to a point where I will make a decision at some stage.” “I am not too sure about the old fella (Cherry-Evans). He doesn’t seem to be ageing at all.” “He is playing excellent footy and seems like his body is in good nick and he is looking after himself.” Source: NRL.com

Australian First Nations artists collaborate once again with emerging Bougainville musicians to create a track that celebrates the wisdom of elders with the song titled, “Pasin Tumbuna” (Traditional Ways). “Pasin Tumbuna” was released on 5th July, thanks to Wantok Musik. The song features Adrian Tjupurrula (Tjupurru) Fabila and his son Jake, with 2023 Bougainville Voice X-Plosion contestants, Wenceslaus Getsi Jnr, Samuel Taipiri, Emma Getsi, Esther Kommai, Jenitha Hemison and Solomon Satoriri. Other contributors include Richard Mogu (vocals, bass & drums), David Bridie (keyboards), Melchior Wagum (bamboo flutes & guitars), Bernard Hanga and Tsarlayse Iamu (vocals). Inspired by the NAIDOC Week theme ‘For Our Elders’ and recorded in Bougainville in October 2023, its lyrics were co-written by the Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development, Hon. Morris Opeti, Richard Mogu, Tsarlayse Iamu, Jake Fabila, and late Chief Philip. The song blends rap and sounds from ancestral Bougainville and Indigenous Australian cultures. Including the voices of local elders, Chief Mark Waraka and the late Chief Philip Buritoa. This is the second follows the highly successful track, Wansolwara (One Ocean), recorded in 2022 and launched through Wantok Musik last year. The 2023 NAIDOC theme struck a chord with the Bougainville youth, “we want the next generation to tap into what we’ve learned from our elders and carry on their legacy”, said Samuel. Pasin Tumbuna was mixed in Buka by local sound engineer Melchior Wagum with Richard Mogu, David Bridie and Dave Walker and mastered by Wantok Musik sound engineers in Australia. The initiative is a partnership between the Australian Government, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and Wantok Musik, through Australia’s Bougainville Partnership Youth Initiative. The track is dedicated to late Chief Philip. More Information on the track can be found in the link provided https://www.facebook.com/wantokmusik/.

The Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation and Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt has praised a local landowner company LaKa Forest Development Limited (LFDL) for launching a new aid post and a health worker staff house in Konoagil Local Level Government (LLG) New Ireland Province (NIP). Minister Schnaubelt made this statement during the initial launching at Morokon, Konoagil LLG, Funded by LFDL at a total cost of K350, 000. “I commend the LaKa Forest Development Limited under the timber project rights and for their leadership to see the flow on benefits to the community at large.” “LaKa Forest Development Limited has demonstrated a strong commitment to fulfilling its community obligations by actively engaging in projects that benefit residents, particularly in health and education sectors.” Minister Schnaubelt reiterated, “The benefits are there, you see it, you feel it and you receive it.” Minister Schnaubelt added the new Morokon aid post will relieve the struggles and hardships faced by mothers, children and the public at large from walking long distance to neighbouring Silur Sub-Health Centre for medical attention. In a bid to fully equip the aid post, K100, 000 was committed by Minister Schnaubelt to support the recent developments. K50, 000 for the purchase of white goods for the staff house, and new banana boat with 40 horse engine including two diesel drums. While the other K50, 000 was distributed to the nearby Morokon Primary School and K30, 000 for the purchase of Morokon women mama market banana boat to transport fresh produce to a buying point in Namatanai town. Minister Schnaubelt was impressed and acknowledged the efforts from the Contractor Mumusi Holdings Limited hired by LFDL, for initially building the staff house at Weitin Valley Primary and the 4-in-1 classroom and double classroom in Siar Primary School. He was impressed during the recent electoral visit to Lak constituency and the Contribution from local Company Laka Forest Development Limited and officially opened a staff house at Weitin Valley Primary School and Siar Primary School’s 4-in-1 classroom and a double classroom. Therefore, Minister Schnaubelt further stated government recognizes the commitment the company has in fostering development in the area and will partner to deliver services at all fronts for the people of Konoagil.