Governor wants to turn primary school to high school

By TONY PALME
ST John’s Border Primary School on the border of Chimbu and Jiwaka will become a high school in 2020, according to Jiwaka Governor Dr William Tongamp.
The provincial project officer for elementary, Joe Pam, relayed the message to the school’s board, staff, students and the surrounding community of nine wards of Nondugl local-level government (Jiwaka) and Demang ward of Kerowagi (Chimbu).
He made the announcement at the first grade 8 graduation recently.
It was extra motivation for headmaster John Teine, his board and staff, with construction work to start next year.
“I am lost for words to describe the feeling we have right now,” he said.
“We are just over the moon.
“This governor is an educationist himself and saw the need for a feeder high school to Nondugl Secondary School.
“Under Tongamp’s leadership, education in the new province is heading to the next dimension.
“I take my hat off to our pioneer governor for spearheading a homegrown education system for the 300,000 people of Jiwaka.”
Pam presented K1000 to the top student.
People travelled from as far Kumbal, Kerowagi and other parts of North Waghi to the graduation.
St John’s Border Primary School is located in Nondugl 1 ward, which shares a border with Demang 1 ward of Kerowagi.
The community leader of Bamne 1 ward, Steven Walep, commended Tongamp for his vision to transform Jiwaka through education.