“Education is the pathway for the people of Simbu to rise and shine out in the different stages of development.”
These were the words from Simbu Governor, Noah Kool who addressed a total of 76 garde twelve graduates of Boromil Technical Secondary School in its second open graduation held recently at Boromil of Gumine district.
Kool said in his first term as Governor in 2012 and again in 2022, remained consistent in ensuring that Simbu has viable educational facilities in the province for accessibility, and also affordable.
He also announced that the province now has a primary school teachers’ college, a nursing college, a community health worker training college, a number of technical vocational training schools, and a handful of external learning facilities for students needing upgrading of their academic marks.
“Education remains the priority, every child who is enrolled be given quality education, and that no school-aged child must be left behind as education is the link to interpersonal and societal progress in all areas of advancement.”
The Government is supporting the implementation of the 166 structure in the province and is fully aware of the cost implication in having the right infrastructure in place to support both learning of students and teacher’s welfare.
“Simbu Government has no money. The annual K10 million PSIP grants cannot be spread out to the six districts in education alone.”
“The support grants we give to schools, please make every toea be accounted for. We can build one classroom at a time.”
“Therefore, I want to commend all the hard-working teachers in the province and the public servants for their due diligence and commitment to work, the provincial education administration, and other stakeholders in both government and non-government organizations that are investing in the education of Simbu.”
Furthermore, he added that the provincial government will come up with incentives for best performing schools in the province.
“Starting this year, we will give out incentives, and strengthen the initiative next year to boost teachers’ performances.”
Meanwhile, Simbu Education Advisor, Bepwick Kutna also stated that Simbu is positioned with programs that can advance grade twelve students who do not find a placing in tertiary education.
“In Kundiawa, there is a University of Technology’s DODL program, a centre from the University of Goroka, and general Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) centre.”
“As long as you receive your grade twelve certificate, you have many ways to move around in pursuing your education.”
“If you don’t secure a space next year don’t sit back in the village. Go out and enquire to enrol in any of the programs on offer.”