Duma boosts Hagen schools with K1.2mil, books and uniforms

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
SCHOOLS in Hagen Central started the academic year on Monday on a high note with financial help from their local MP William Duma.
Duma presented K1.2 million in cheques, K300,000 worth of books and K560,000 worth of school uniforms to elementary, community and primary schools in Mt Hagen.
Twenty-six schools received K40,000 each, while Hagen Park and Hagen received K100,000 and K200,000 respectively.
Duma made a commitment to build a double classroom each for Hagen United, Fish Pond, Tee School and Tarangau primary schools on top of the K40,000 they each received.
Duma said a few schools that missed out would receive their share this year.
He told school representatives, assistant secretary for education Joe Yaga, teachers and students at Tarangau Primary that the books, uniforms and money given was to complement the free education policy initiated by the Government.
Duma said he had set aside K1 million from his district service improvement programme and told Yaga to put all the documentation in place for a new high school to be built in his electorate.
He said he believed in quality education and always gave priority to education.
Duma said the free education policy was to remove the burden on parents struggling to find school fees.
He said many people criticised the free education policy but, it was just the beginning and they would adjust the policy along the way.
School board of management from Hagen Tee Simon Kuk and principal of Hagen Secondary John Mamb thanked Duma for his continuous support to the schools.
Mamb said education was very important for nation’s development.
He said leaders giving education priority were taking a step in right direction.