Sonoma Adventist College in East New Britain took a step further in promoting gender equality and quality education when they opened several AusAID-funded projects on their school campus yesterday. The Seventh Day Adventist-run institution has thrived for many years to uphold a holistic, equal and quality education. Most importantly, some of the new facilities will also benefit the local community in bringing health and education services closer. Guests to the opening were welcomed Sonoma Adventist students, all dressed in traditional wear. Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to PNG, Margaret Adamson, and Deputy Governor Eremas Yareng were part of the visiting party, accompanied by members of the Australian AID team, Incentive Fund, Department of National Planning. The mission-run college has long promoted gender equality and quality education, but lacked the facilities to improve these levels. The aim of the projects were to increase the number of female graduates. Under the direction of former principal Dr Samson Kuku, the school for the first time, received a project worth 2.2 million kina. Ät the moment up until now the ratio is one girl [for every two boys] 1:2. We want to cut this down … as of next year we want the ration to be 50 percent girls and 50 percent boys.” Dr Samson Kuku said The projects included a new and renovated female dormitory, a new health clinic, nurse’s house and meri waiting haus, as well as a new food technology and health sciences block. Ms Adamson congratulated the school and its female students. She said the projects will be able to educate more women in PNG, and in time change the course of their futures to help their families, communities and country. “...the opportunity of a future through education in certainly demonstrated by what is happening on this campus.” Margaret Adamson said. Significantly, the surrounding communities will also benefit from these projects. The new health clinic will also serve an estimated 2 thousand people in the Pala Virua ward council. The food technology block will be used to provide nutrition courses to interested members of the community. Pala Virua Ward Councilor Veronica Naigu thanked AusAID and the college for including the community in its development endeavors. “…but we now, good people, have the task of working together to care for the school for the benefit of our community”, Veronica Naigu said Following the formal speeches, Ms Adamson and Deputy Governor Yareng were invited to cut the ribbons to officially open the facilities for use. The dormitories will be able to provide and extra 100 spaces for girls next year. Sonoma Adventist College, who contributed over 300 thousand kina to the projects, offer courses in carpentry, agriculture, teacher education and business studies. EMTV Comments are closed.
|
Papua New Guinea education news services: Get Free Webpage for your School. Send us your School Profile now
>> STUDY IN PNG Follow PNG Online School |