Morobe school gets K300,000 to promote free education

 THE Government has given K300,000 to the Siwea Primary School in Tewai-Siassi district, Morobe, to promote the free education policy.

Finance Minister James Marape, who is also Education Minister, gave the cheque to headmaster Tanney Ofoi last Friday.

Marape and Tewai-Siassi MP Mao Zeming, the Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, visited the electorate to open a double classroom, fencing, toilet and the extension to the water supply at the school.

The school, located in the rugged mountains of Sialum is a six-hour walk from the nearest road.

Most of the material for the construction was carried by locals.

Marape praised the school board and the people for taking the lead to improve education for the children in the electorate.

He said it was vital the grants given to schools were managed properly to develop education facilities.

Marape said schools had to start implementing projects using the grants because the Government would continue its free education policy.

He said the Government allocated K652 million for the policy to be implemented over the next five years.

Marape said the Government was looking at making education compulsory for all students and the onus was on the school board to start using the grants.

He encouraged the students to study hard as education would open doors for them to improve their lives, their community and the country.