The Prime Minister’s office in Wewak has presented K40,000 to St Mary’s Primary School to help kick start work on a new school library.
The presentation was made by Ted Braun, executive officer to Sir Michael Somare, at the St Mary’s Primary School last Friday.
The presentation was part payment of a commitment of K80,000 which Sir Michael made in 2003 when he personally presented K10,000 to the school for maintenance of school facilities.
Mr Braun, who made the presentation on behalf of the Prime Minister, said due to work commitment and other pressing issues, Sir Michael was not able to be in Wewak to do the honours.
He said the Prime Minister was very conscious of the need for our children’s education and would continue to give all educational institution the support they deserve.
The money was drawn from the Prime Minister’s district services grants (DSG) from the previous budget before the national election.
Chairman of the school’s board of management Peter Taiko thanked Sir Michael for his generous support, adding the management will ensure that the money is spent wisely on materials needed to start the project.
He said the presentation also brought hope to the school because a commitment which was made four years back had finally materialised.
Mr Taiko said he was happy that Sir Michael had seen the need for a new school library and committed K80,000 in 2003, however, as years went by prices of building materials had also increased.
He said because of the increase in prices of goods and services over the years, a building which would have cost K80,000 to complete in 2003, would now need about K120,000.
Mr Taiko said with the recent windfall of education subsidy and funding from other sources, they were determined to start the project while waiting for the Prime Minister’s office to settle the next K40,000 of the promised K80,000.