| Sports |
A self help school
By JAMES APA GUMUNO
Bukapena primary school in the Mul/Baiyer district, Western
Highlands province is a school with a difference.
This school has permanent houses for their teachers, a good
modern library building, good classrooms, television sets inside
grade eight classrooms, where they receive EMTV's morning
coverage of lessons from Gordons secondary school in the
nation's capital.
Most of these developments that took place over the past four
years were initiated by headmaster Jim Pena.
Over the past three years Mr Pena organized fund raising
activities like cleaning Mount Hagen town, collecting
contribution from students and the community to improve the
school.
A total of about K200, 000 raised went towards building of 11
teachers houses, a library and to buy computers for the office
and a photocopying machine.
Mr Pena said that as a result of these new developments the
status of the school was lifted from level 6 to level 7 last
year.
He said that the money used was raise internally and some came
from the school fees paid by the 600 students.
Mr Pena, a dedicated Christian ensures that all monies raised is
accounted for and spent well.
His work ethics and attitude towards his work has set a high
standard for his staff to follow.
Mr Pena believes that PNG is blessed with natural resources, all
we need is to use our initiative to get maximum benefits from
what we own.
He urged other headmasters in remote areas to be creative in
improving their schools.
He said the K200,000 raise in the last four years may sound like
a big money to many primary and community schools but if school
administrators come up with constructive ideas they could also
raise such money to develop their schools.
Mr Pena will travel to Port Moresby soon to seek assistance from
the Rotary Club and other organization to donate books for their
library.
Mr Pens said villagers living around the school were very
supportive towards the development of the school and also looks
after the teachers well.
The people ensure the sub-district headquarter building and the
school grounds are kept clean and tidy.
Mr. Pena believes that if school administrators put their hearts
into their jobs it will raise the standard of our schools and
the education system. It will also assist students perform and
learn better.
 
|
