Education key in closing inequality gap

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

EDUCATION is fundamental in narrowing the gap in inequality, Morobe Governor Kelly Naru says.

He opened last Friday a new boys’ boarding accommodation at the Kerowagi Secondary School in Chimbu. 

Naru, who attended the school from 1977 to 1980, skipped Parliament last Friday to attend the ceremony. 

Chimbu Governor Noah Kool, local MP Camilus Dangima welcomed Naru and his delegation, including Lae Mayor Koim Trilu Leahy, Siassi LLG president Joel Johnson, Morobe LLG president Otti Bagiro, Leron-Wantoat LLG president Andrew Gena, Wain-Erap LLG president Charlie Foike and chief-of-staff Mala Aihi.

Naru said while the country had seen a huge improvement in development indicators such as in health, education and infrastructure, it had also seen a corresponding increase in social problems.

“Crime, law and order issues, social decay and poverty are also on the rise and need to be addressed,” Naru said.

“The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. There is inequality in wealth distribution in the country,” he said.

Naru said education was an opportunity to escape from the chains of poverty.

He challenged the students to use the skills and knowledge they gain from education to improve their lives and help other unfortunate citizens.

“The underlying principle of getting an education is to bridge this inequality and injustice,” Naru said.

Kool said human resource development and education were important priority areas for the Chimbu provincial government.