The state-of-the-art Butukua Academy in NCD has another milestone development in progress – the construction of staff houses. Already the groundworks for the new six teacher’s residences project has started, with its completion anticipated for June 2024. On Saturday 27 April 2024, the actual ground-breaking ceremony was officiated by Moresby South MP and Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, witnessed by NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Chinese Ambassador His Excellency Zeng Fanhua, Shenzhen City Representative LI Pu, and Chairperson of the school board, Lady Ni Cragnollni. The school, located in the Moresby-South electorate of NCD, is a symbol of the PNG-China friendship, and according to H.E. Zeng Fanhua, is a model school that has set a high standard for this country. Minister Tkatchenko, who has always maintained his continued support for the school, took the opportunity on Saturday to thank Governor Parkop for his support to Moresby-South with the Chinese Government, praising the fast-tracking of the project’s construction in progress. “Thank you, Governor Parkop, for supporting Moresby South with the Chinese government's Shenzhen sister-city relationship." "Here we are today (Saturday 27 April 2024) on another phase of development for Butuka Academy.” "With the Shenzhen local level government, NCDC, the leadership of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, our Prime Minister James Marape, and our government, it all comes down to partnership, making things happen, working together to educate our future generations.” H.E. Zeng Fanhua, impressed with the academy and support given, reiterated to all in attendance that Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng, during his official visit to PNG, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding together with Governor Parkop for Chinese teachers to be engaged to teach other subjects aside from Mandarin (Chinese language). He added that under the agreement, the teachers would be arriving in the country to teach the students, hence the units were being built for them. "This academy is big, with more than a thousand students and families benefiting from this school and these students realize their dreams of studying and one day contributing to the future development of this country.” "Butuka remains a priority for the Chinese government, and we are committed to this project." "Butuka Academy is a successful story of people-to-people exchange between China and PNG." "Last June (2023) the first PNG final of the Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students was successfully held here.” “Last month (March 2024), 20 teachers and students from Butula went to China for a cultural exchange program for the first time.” “They experienced Chinese cultural heritage, real customs and development achievements.” “The groundbreaking of the teachers' residences at Butuka Academy we are witnessing is funded by Shenzhen City and constructed by CSCEC.” “This marks the latest achievement in implementing the important consensus and outcomes reached by the two Leaders.” “It's also the latest practice of supporting the development of Butuka.” "In recent years, leaders of China and PNG have reaffirmed support for Butuka on several occasions at bilateral meetings." "We will continue to work with Minister Tkatchenko and Governor Parkop to coordinate this project, support this academy, and make great contributions to friendly exchanges between the partner schools Butuka Academy was built through a sister-city partnership between Shenzhen Clty and Port Moresby. The school was officially opened by President Xi Jinping in 2018. Meanwhile, Minister Tkatchenko also announced hopes to build a similar school in Taurama, within his electorate.