Eight pioneer students graduated from Kanauki University Learning Centre in Yangoru-Saussia District last week.
The students took up courses at the Centre when it was initiated in 2013 by the Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority.
Local MP and Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Richard Maru, congratulated the students and thanked them for their hard work, sacrifices and toil over the last few years.
“Last year, for the record, 25,500 students completed Grade 12 and of that number of students, only 5,000 students found spaces at higher learning institutions, including universities and colleges. 18,500 students or 80 percent of our Grade 12 students had to go home with no hope for a brighter and a better future. This is the biggest single problem facing the country today,” Maru said.
“I am sad that national leaders don’t acknowledge that fact. They don’t want to discuss it, but that’s the truth that must hit our face.
“In other words, if parents invest in students to go to school, they must acknowledge the fact that eight out of ten students will never make it into an institution of higher learning. They will return to the village.
“East Sepik Province used to dominate the UPNG campus but not today because of the lack of recognition for the importance of education by our past leaders.”
Meanwhile, Minister Maru thanked the National Government for allocating K1 million for the construction of a new building for the University Centre at Warasaua.