Maprik Secondary School in East Sepik Province, have received a number of beneficial projects this year including a new Computer Lab as well as a new upcoming girls dormitory. The new Computer Lab is provided with Internet Service all set up and provided for by The National Information & Communications Technology Authority (NICTA). Principal of Maprik Secondary, Mr Alfred Akai, said the students have started using the lab since the start of the school year and it has been of great help to them in terms of doing their research. He added that NICTA will also assist the school with a new E-Library to use soon. “With the new lab put in place, access to studies have been made easier for the students who can now complete assignments and given tasks. Another new project that we are also looking forward to is a new girls’ double-story dormitory that is nearing its completion.” According to Akai, the dormitory comprises of a total of 80 rooms; 40 upstairs and downstairs. At a total cost of K1.3 million,  K700, 000 was counter-funded by National Panning Department and the remaining cost funded by the school’s project fees. Apart from the addition of new projects, Maprik Secondary are giving students a second chance in their education by providing FODE classes. “Students from grade nine to twelve who have failed, have been given an opportunity to upgrade and apply back into the system to continue their studies.” Akai added that students from other schools who have also failed in their studies, also attend FODE at the school campus just to attend the classes and to submit assignments. He said that this is also a government directive and that the Maprik Sec has been running FODE classes in the school for 3 years now. Another directive given by the Government, is the Free Education Policy. Akai said that though education is free for students, parents and guardians are still required to pay project fees to the school despite policy put in place. “The reason being that this has to be done in order to keep the school running. Project fees are an essential tool in providing for the school.”