Crime and education

THE rising crime rate, tribal fighting and murder are some of the biggest problems facing Papua New Guinea today.
It is worse in the Highlands, especially in my two beloved provinces of Hela and Southern Highlands.
Even though both provincial governments are putting money and resources into the law and justice sector and measures that deal with crime, the problem is still there.
It is a disease.
Where is the solution? I believe the answer is education.
Education always has been and will always be the most effective way to combat adversity.
Rather than harshening laws to prevent people from making mistakes, we can encourage our people to become productive members of society by providing them with education and training.
These include providing tertiary students with scholarships, establishing colleges, vocational centres, university open campuses, private life-skills training schools and, of course, build new classrooms and teachers’ houses and boost education by making it the top priority in the provinces.
When people, young and old, can read and write and are equipped with basic life skills and knowledge, the community will be safer and peaceful.
When we fight ignorance and win, we help create a more open-minded and respectful society.
Focusing on education and basic life-skills training measures will make people less interested in criminal activities.
As a crime-prevention measure, education is the way forward for Southern Highlands and Hela.

Bernard Birop
@Wais#1 Village
Karinz LLG,
Mendi