Commissioner encourages graduates to help shape PNG

NEW Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Philip Taula says the classroom does not exist in a vacuum because learning happens in many ways and in many places.
Taula was speaking at the fourth graduation of St Peter Chanel Catholic College of secondary teacher education last Friday in Kokopo, East New Britain.
Taula encouraged the 64 students who attained bachelor of education degrees that they had overcome many obstacles and had achieved something.
“You can help shape the future of PNG,” he said. “You are the building blocks of your nation’s next generation, so you should feel proud of your accomplishment so far.
“How you impart your knowledge as teachers will depend on how determined and dynamic you are in finding meaningful engagement between the teacher and student.”
Taula congratulated the graduands for their hard work in reaching their goals in what had been a challenging year globally with disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said despite this, they had made it to this final stage of their education and that was something to be proud of.
Taula acknowledged the work of the New Zealand volunteer services which had assisted the college academically and technically.
He said education would help to build a resilient and capable nation and if children were not educated in the classroom and at home, the results were reflected in society.
Taula said youths who fell through the cracks in NZ or in PNG were left with no clear direction and they became a problem.