Christian studies to become core subject

RELIGIOUS education will become a core subject to be taught in schools nationwide.
This was the Easter message Education Minister James Marape delivered to members of the Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship (TSCF) at their 2010 annual conference in Goroka over the Easter weekend.
“I will make Christian education become a compulsory subject for schools during my term as Education Minister.
“I want to leave a legacy after my term as Education minister, to make teaching religion a compulsory subject in the school,” he said.
Mr Marape said this after receiving a proposal from TSCF members who asked that the teaching of religion be made a core subject like Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies.
Mr Marape said a TSCF camp in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands province, early in his life got him to make some crucial decisions to convert to a practising Christianity.
He urged the students to remain focused in what they do and to meet challenges head on to achieve success.
“Make good decisions to improve your well-being and future through excellence.
“We have embarked on providing equal opportunity for every student under the universal basic education (UBE).
“Under UBE, all elementary school teachers will be diploma and degree holders who should provide a quality standard of education at the foundation level.
“Therefore, having quality religious education at all levels of education should be the priority to develop God fearing and Christian leaders,” he said.
Mr Marape opened the 2010 TSCF Conference at the Mark Solon Auditorium (MSA) in the University of Goroka (UOG).
The conference was jointly hosted by UOG Christian students, Goroka Technical College and Highlands Regional School of Nursing in Goroka.