Locals in Morobe village learn to read and write

 PEOPLE in the Wafi-Golpu region in Morobe who did not get a chance to go to school will now be able to learn to read and write.

Fifteen locals from the area recently completed a three-week course on Adult Literacy and Numeracy Teacher Training at Timini village. 

These people can now pass on the knowledge to their fellow villagers. Many had missed out on schooling due to remoteness.

This was the first “teacher training” under the Morobe Mining’s Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programme. The trainees come from Timini, Dengea, Hekeng, Venembeli, Pekumbe, Pokwaluma, Pokwana, Zilani and Mazim villages. 

Participant Joseph Yanis thanked Morobe Mining for funding the training. He said they learnt a lot of new skills apart from reading and writing.

“We’re very grateful for the training and on behalf of the rest of the teachers, we look forward to teaching our communities on how to read and write. It is a challenge but let’s take it up and educate our people,” he said.

Trainer Meggie Kua Dingi said the course also taught the trainees how to help change attitude and pass on knowledge and skills.

 For example, appreciating the value of reading, having the ability to analyse and solve problems and recording and communicating information correctly, she said

Dingi said outside influence had infiltrated traditional society and that education was the main tool to keep abreast with the changes.

“Knowledge is power. When you know how to read and write, it will help you make better decisions for development. I now challenge the community to support these trainees so they can pass on what they’ve learnt to you,” she said.