Students at Tipinini Primary School will embrace the 2019 academic year with a new double classroom including a staff house valued at K577,000.
Delivered by Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) through the Government-owned Tax Credit Scheme, the classroom was valued at K340,236 while the house was K236,764.
On 3 September this year, PJV General Manager for Capital and Business Improvement, Myles Gao, led a team to the school and handed over the new structures.
The School Headmaster Elias Tokan received the keys, witnessed by students, teachers and some members of the community.
School Board Chairman Yakema Anton thanked PJV for the completed projects, adding Tipinini was still recovering from the aftermath of tribal warfare over the years, resulting in the destruction of the initial structures, also constructed under TCS.
“This is a service that you’ve provided to us. It’s very encouraging and it will boost performance and create a learning atmosphere.”
Gao also said the community support was very important to the PJV operation and having the support of an educated population was valuable.
“…for improvement of life, the most important is education. So we need people to be educated, to be trained to be able to provide…give a contribution to the operation.
“And I really hope these lovely kids here get good education and have a better life.”
The school has 13 teaching staff, 300 students and seven classrooms - three permanent and four semi-permanent buildings.
(Staff and students in front of the new double classroom)