The Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership has supported the development of a new pre-school in Madina Village, New Ireland Province, which has been warmly received by the local community.
The pre-school will provide the children with a place to learn and play.
The pre-school is the result of a partnership between the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program, local NGO Recreating the Village, and the local community. Construction of the pre-school was completed in 2017 and it has been open for students from the beginning of the 2018 school year.
James Buttigieg, First Secretary from the Australian High Commission, officially opened the school on 27 February 2018.
Buttigieg spoke of the importance of education driving Papua New Guinea’s development and future prosperity.
“I am pleased that this project has provided young people in this community with access to education. Through partnerships like this with local communities and government, we are helping to improve educational outcomes for young Papua New Guineans.”
The Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program is a small grants scheme aimed at supporting small-scale development projects with a strong community focus.
(Students from Madina Pre-school pose in front of their new classroom with community members, teachers and representatives from the Australian High Commission)