Centre recognised as prep, primary teacher training institute

The National National
Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu (left) and Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra initiating the ground breaking at Heldsbach to mark the declaration of the teachers college on Thursday. – Nationalpic by JIMMY KALEBE

THE 107-year-old missionary training centre at Heldsbach in Finschhafen, Morobe, was officially recognised as a training institute for early childhood and primary school teachers on Thursday.
The declaration was made official by Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra, Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, officials from Unicef and other stakeholders.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) run institution will now be transformed into an early childhood and primary school teachers training institution.
Heldsbach training centre started its first training of teachers in 1914.
The amalgamation of Heldsbach training centre and Papua New Guinea Education Institute (PNGEI) was made official during the declaration.
Saonu said the partnership between the Morobe government, Department of Education and the ELCPNG with other stakeholders would ensure quality teachers were produced.
Last October, a memorandum of understanding for the Heldsbach Teachers College was signed.
Kombra said the PNGEI would be responsible for the college to train teachers with diploma certificates and the training would specialise in early childhood education