Goroka to get college registered

THE Eastern Highlands provincial government said it will get Goroka Teachers’ College registered this year.
Governor Peter Numu said he will take the matter up with the provincial executive council before registration was sought with the National Education Department.
Numu praised those who started the college as “leaders with attitude for change” and that more people like them were needed.
“We need leaders with the attitude for change. We do not need those with negative attitude to suppress changes. This is the way to go,” Numu said.
He thanked the landowners of Uritoka, Rothmans and Ufeto area for allowing the college to be set up at the former site of the Rothmans smoke factory.
“The community, stakeholders and everyone who concerned gives their consent. I as your governor will give my consent to ensure the institution is registered,” he said.
College governing council chairman, Sam Hasu Inapo, landowner representative John Heni and college director David Kubulo assured Numu of their commitment to make a mark in the education of people in Eastern Highlands.
Kubulo said they were working with the Education Department to register the college.
However, Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra wrote to the college in March saying the National Executive Council decided in October last year that all teachers’ colleges and technical vocational education training institutions were to operate under the Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
“During this transition period, you are advised not to conduct any unapproved teacher training programmes because these will be deemed illegal,” the letter stated.
“And any graduates will not be employed by the Teaching Services Commission unless the college is registered.”