Boisen Secondary School in Rabaul District, East New Britain Province recently witnessed the graduation of 54 pioneer Grade 8 students under the 1-6-6 reform structure. Apart from the pioneer Grade 8’s, the school also celebrated the third graduation for Grade 10’s and the second graduation for Grade 12’s after the school’s re-establishment in 2017. Speaking during the graduation was school Principal Mr Wesly Kankan who stressed on the graduation theme; “Empowering Responsible Citizens”. He encouraged students to set goals and have a positive mindset; contributing meaningfully to the development in their communities. Mr Kankan added though the school infrastructure development rate is moving at a fast pace, there is still more work to be done. The Principal further said that though the project fees were set at K260, some parents and guardians yet to pay up resulting in more than 50 percent outstanding fees for the year. The School principal also pointed out some of the challenges that they face which hinders their education. “Transport for our students to school is the main problem which affects student’s attendance and punctuality. There are not many PMV’s following our route simply because we have deteriorating roads,” Kankan said. He added that community fights also interfere with the students learning, however they still manage to work together with the ward member and nearby communities to resolve issues for the safety of students. Meantime, speaking on behalf of the Rabaul District Administrator Benedict Mode was Deputy District Administrator for Operations, John Vule who told graduating students that graduations are milestones and that they have to take pride in successfully completing another level of education. The Deputy Administrator further encouraged the students to have a positive mindset and not to be discouraged if one does not further his or her studies; but to consider other pathways such as FODE, Vocational Centers and Matriculation centers. Mr. Vule also assured Rabaul District’s continuous support to the school where he announced that K500 000 had been appropriated for in this year’s budget to counter-fund the PSIP projects which were the Administration block, Double-storey Science Lab and Economics Building. Mr Vule added that the District counterpart funding would be for the schools Water Supply system and the Practical Skills building. In his closing remarks, Vule congratulated the graduates and urged parents and guardians to assist the school by settling their children’s outstanding fees and further encouraged them to apply for the Rabaul District’s 2023 Tertiary Tuition Fee subsidy to assist the Year 12 continual progress of their individual career paths.