Gerehu Primary School: Still going strong

 By MIRIAM MALAWA

GEREHU Primary School is one of the oldest schools in National Capital District and has grown in size and infrastructure development. 

It is one of the biggest level eight primary schools other than Ward Strip Primary School. 

Located at Gerehu Stage One, the school has educated most children living around the Gerehu area as well as the city.

The school was established in the 1960s under the Australian government as an international community school which then provided education for many Australian children. 

It later changed to a community school and eventually to primary level where as a result it changed levels. 

Having so, it has increased its perimeter fencing-acquiring most of the vacant land surrounding it for further development, because as years goes by, the school had grown from having few classrooms to currently 37 classrooms. 

This year, the school has an enrolment figure of 1539 of which 786 students are males and 753 are females with 37 teachers including the head teacher (non-teaching teacher)

Senior teacher Walter Imo said the student’s performance was above average and teachers are committed in seeing students receive the bests. 

He added teachers’ commitment in both teaching and attending classes is fair but major improvement is required for grater positive results in students. 

Speaking as a former student, Imo said: “Many of the students who are enrolled are children of those who have graduated from this school.

“I am one of the former students of this school-era 1987-1992. I completed my studies from Madang Teachers College in 2001 and commenced teaching at the school till.”

He said the school incorporates religious instruction classes in its lessons so students are nourished with spiritually upbringing.  

“RI classes are every Wednesdays from 11am to 12pm, where teachers from all denominations come to share and teach students the Good News.”

He said the school will soon be rolling out the Enhancing Quality in teaching through Television (EQUITV) programme this term.

He added that the school is still waiting for the NCD governor’s pledge of computers to the school library.