Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the Government aims to expand schools to all parts of the country.
He was speaking during the graduation of the first Grade 10 students at the newly-established Kuare High School, Southern Highlands Province, over the weekend.
“Education is a vitally important tool for our national progress and the future of country, and education must be available right around Papua New Guinea,” states the PM.
“I am proud of our children who are going to school after many did not have the opportunity in the past, and now they must continue onto the next level of their education.
“I congratulate our young men and women who are graduating year ten.
“Life is not easy in the world outside and it will be challenging after you leave school.
“Education will give you a better future so you can meet those challenges in the years to come.”
The PM says in the past, they did not have many schools like Kuare High School, and they had to walk great distances to go to high school.
“We used to carry bags of sweet potato all the way from Kuare and Kagua to go to Ialibu and Mendi High School, but you now have a school right near your homes and I urge you all to study hard.”
Prime Minister O’Neill further appealed to the people of Kuare to take care of the school.
“We must look after the school like it is your own child, and make sure it is properly maintained and kept in good order.
“I am pleased that you all are gathered here today on this very important day and occasion to witness your children’s achievements and the first grade ten graduation.
“We will continue to grow the school and I am pleased to announce funding of K200,000 to build new classrooms and a science laboratory from our Ialibu-Pangia District Services Improvement funds.
“We have limited financing in the country right now, but will still undertake projects through our DSIP funds and other means.”
Prime Minister O’Neill presented Certificates of achievement to ninety students who became the pioneer graduates of the Kuare High School, and presented prizes for academic achievements in different subjects.
He told students to study hard as they have a golden opportunity to go to the Western Pacific University that is being built in the Southern Highlands Province.
(PM O’Neill addressing the crowd and congratulating students at the Kuare High School year 10 graduation)