DBTI gets female dorm

 By ELIZABETH MIAE

CHURCH-run institutions have been commended for taking the initiative to offer equal opportunity for females to be educated as part of the government’s vision.

Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI), a Catholic-run school in Port Moresby is a leading example of offering females the same opportunities in education as their male counterparts. 

Last Friday staff and students along with their benefactors and guests witnessed the opening of a new female dormitory of which Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio was the guest of honour. 

The “Mary Our Help Ladies” dormitory took two-and-half years to complete at a cost of about K5 million which was partly funded by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (K4.7 million), PNG Sustainable Development Program (K150,000) and additional funding from the Salesian missionaries of Don Bosco. 

“Although DBTI when first opening its doors was dominated by male students, its intention was to include female students as part of its mission to train and educate young Papua New Guineans,” Sir Michael said. 

He said the school’s vision to enroll more females was impeded with the issue of accommodation which was a disadvantage for students outside of Port Moresby who were interested in studying at the institute.

However, he added that the construction for a new dormitory was an agenda for DBTI to realise the participation of female students. 

“The new dormitories will enhance female students’ learning and they will have access to facilities and activities as a key part of their integral development.”

Sir Michael said the government was striving to achieve universal basic education and commended DBTI for taking that initiative to do that.

“Such commitment is a promising start for our female students to participate fully in the development of our country which is also in line with the government’s vision.

“Providing education for all is a goal which can be achieved by all through the government and partnerships.”

Sir Michael added that progress had been made over the years to offer females education and opportunities exist for them to be as competitive as male students in various fields of studies.

Sr Sarah Garcia told the vice-regal that his presence at the occasion was a gesture of goodwill that brought hope to young Papua New Guineans.

She thanked the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, PNG Sustainable Development Program, and Sir Theophilus Constantinou for providing heavy machineries for the construction of the building.