Head: College is recognised

 By ROSELYN ELLISON

THE St Andrew’s Rural Community College in East Sepik is recognised by the National Education department under its community education programme.

College manageress Emilyn Kopania said the college was a concept adapted from India.

She said the concept was adapted to cater for those students who could not continue to further their education at the higher institutions throughout the country.

The college is located at Sapandai in the Wosera-Gawi district.

Kopania said the community college concept was established under an Act of Parliament known as the inclusive Education for National Development for Community Education Act 2008.

“The Community Colleges will be the responsibility of the districts and the LLGs,” Kopania said.

“They shall own the system and further operate within the decentralisation powers in the districts.”

Kopania was responding to claims that the college was a private-run college.

The National in Wewak has also received the constitutional implications report which stated that “PNG constitution recognises sound education system to promote economic development as contained in the fifth objective of the national goals and directives.

“The community education system policy is consistent with the development agenda for community empowerment as reflected in the medium term development strategy 2005-10, and will subsequently be incorporated into the long term strategic plan 2050.”

The report also stated that the National Education Plan (NEP) 2005-14 already accommodated this and the provincial and district education plan would also accommodate the CC system in all districts.

The report statement also stated that national goals and directives talked about equality and participation while the third objective was for national sovereignty and self-reliance.