Enga to build high schools

By PHILIP KEPSON
THE Enga provincial government will build two new high schools in the next three years as part of its human resource development drive in the province.
The two new high schools will be built in Tsak Valley and Yales in Lower Lai constituencies, both in Wapenamanda district.
Enga Governor Peter Ipatas told well-wishers during two separate visits to both areas last week he would continue to open up opportunities for children in the province by building more schools.
He said many children were disadvantaged by bad road conditions and tribal conflicts.
Ipatas said the new high school for Tsak valley, which has a population of over 25,000 people and more than nine primary schools, would be built at the old Yogos police station and government patrol facility.
He said the Enga provincial education board had already approved necessary instruments to start with four classes of Grade 9 next year.
Ipatas said the new high school for Lower Lai would be built in 2013 after completing the one in the Tsak Valley next year.
He said the two schools would cost about K6 million.
Enga provincial education service director Robert Ganim said officials from his division and provincial works had visited the existing facilities, including buildings at Yogos government station and they were happy that existing facilities were intact for use.
The provincial government has approved a proposal to upgrade Four Square High School in Wapenamanda district to secondary school next year with enrolment of three Grade 11 classes.
Ganim said the overloading of grade 11 and 12 students in the three secondary schools in the province – Pausa, Kopen and Sir Tei Abal – had compelled the board to come up with the decision.
Enga has eight high schools to feed the three secondary schools which include Four Square, Anditale, Kompiam, Porgera, Kandep, Yumbulam and Surunki.
That will be increased to 11 high schools with the establishment of the two new high schools in Laiagam by Porgera-Lagaip MP Philip Kikala and Tsak High School.
Both schools are most likely to enrol students next year.