Call for libraries to be established in provinces and districts

Public libraries must be established in all provinces and districts across Papua New Guinea.

Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra said they’d like to see library services established right across the country in the 22 provinces and 89 districts as it is very essential in the education system.

Dr Kombra said the Department of Education is there to support the Office of Libraries and Archives (OLA) to also have libraries extended to every school in the country.

“A lot of the districts are implementing the library plan but we need to have an advocacy plan in place on the importance of libraries.

“We have to work closely with the provincial governments and the districts administrations to ensure that this will come to fruition.

“I’d like to give all support to the National Library, Archives and Records Services 10 Year Strategic Plan 2016-2025 that we now have to implement,” Dr Kombra said.

Dr Kombra said the DoE will be a partner to see that the library services are extended across the country and to all schools.

The OLA is not part of the DoE but the department has worked very closely together with the OLA to ensure that the libraries are there for the public and schools. 

He added that libraries are very important for teaching and learning and is part of the curriculum and contains books where students will always have access to reading.

In 2012, cabinet passed the Integrated Library Management System to ensure that there were libraries established across the school systems and districts.

He Kombra stressed that school libraries are also in need of more books and said they welcome assistance from donors as well.

Author: 
Quintina Naime