Digicel Foundation’s “BeLit” (Better Literacy) program, aimed at enhancing education through technology, has expanded to Lae City.
Over the past two years, the initiative has included a three-hour educational TV program on TVWAN and the establishment of computer labs in six secondary schools in Port Moresby.
In the 2024 fiscal year, Digicel Foundation assessed all four high schools in Lae to determine eligibility for computer lab projects, based on criteria such as existing infrastructure, the presence of ICT teachers, and security measures.
Lae Secondary School and Busu Secondary School were selected for the project.
Busu Secondary School, one of Lae’s top-performing institutions with 1,800 students from Grades 9 to 12, had previously received funding for a four-in-one double-storey classroom under Digicel Foundation’s Education Infrastructure Program.
The classroom, costing K1.6 million, was completed in December 2022 after delays with the initial contractor.
The current project at Busu Secondary involves refurbishing the existing computer lab, including the installation of 20 desktop computers and 20 laptops, replacing outdated equipment.
The total investment for this project was K87,539.20.
At the launch event, Digicel PNG CEO Tarik Baudiaf emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting education, health, and sustainable development across Papua New Guinea.
He highlighted that Digicel Foundation has invested K179 million in social projects across all 96 districts of PNG since the company’s launch in 2007.
“We are proud to partner with Busu Secondary School again to deliver your refurbished computer lab.”
“At Digicel, we’re bringing the future into the present, enriching the lives of every customer we serve.”
“Digital literacy is crucial in today’s interconnected world, and we are thrilled to support this agenda through the BeLit Computer labs.”
Baudiaf also announced plans to launch a computer lab at Lae Secondary School in the coming weeks, making it the eighth school to benefit from the BeLit program.
He encouraged students to take care of the new equipment, emphasizing the importance of ICT skills for future job competitiveness.