He wanted no child left behind

OBITUARY

LATE Jimmy Uguro was born in Bill village, Madang’s Usino-Bundi district on Oct 20,1970.
He completed Grade 6 at the Usino Community School in 1987.
He did Grade 10 at the Braham High School in 1991 and Grade 12 at the Madang UPNG Centre in 1999.
He attained a Diploma in Primary Teaching at the Madang Teachers College in 1995, Bachelor of Education at the UOG in 2005.
He worked as a shop assistant in 1992, a primary school teacher at Gum Community School from 1996 to 1999.
Then he was provincial elementary school coordinator in Madang, and later provincial education planner amongst other roles over the years.
He was first elected to Parliament in the 2017 general elections. On Dec 20,2020, he became the Education Minister, a portfolio he held until his untimely passing.
Yesterday, as his casket lay in state condolences poured in for one of the most loyal and hardworking ministers in the Pangu Pati-led Government.
Next Tuesday, the hearse arrives at the Madang Provincial Government officecomplex where acting Speaker Koni Iguan is expected to hand over the casket to Governor Ramsey Pariwa.
Looking back to all those years of chatting with the late Minister, his common phrase was ‘leave no child behind’.
On that final day when addressing a gathering in Yangoru-Saussia, he was still encouraging students and parents in East Sepik to make use of the Government’s fee free policy. He addressed students at two schools in Yangoru Saussia hours before he passed away in his hotel room in Wewak.
The wet weather did not deter him promoting the Government’s vision for the country’s education system. He reminded parents of their responsibilities in ensuring their children’s needs were met and they get an education.
“Parents you have a responsibility, make sure the children eat well, don’t expect teachers to feed your children.”
Uguro was on duty trip to East Sepik where he passed away on Feb 6 at a hotel room in Wewak.