New school in SHP graduates 139 students despite challenges

A NEWLY-built high school at remote Nembi Plateau local-level government area in Southern Highlands graduated 139 Grade 10 students recently.
School principal Matias Arikapu said the institution was established in 2016 by Southern Highlands’ provincial division of education after it was approved by the provincial executive council under leadership of Governor William Powi.
He said while the school was affected by the recent earthquake and ensuing political chaos, they managed to complete the school year successfully.
Arikapu said 139 students from Upper Nembi Plateau, Lower Nembi Plateau and others from around Southern Highlands graduated from the school.
He said while equipment and facilities were not in place as expected from a well-established school, they managed to improvise to get the school operating till the end of the year.
Arikapu thanked the seven teaching staff and their four aides for taking the school through despite the earthquake and political chaos.
He said while the school lacked many teaching and learning facilities, they performed above average in the province.
Many of the students will continue to do Grade 11 in other secondary schools in the province.
Arikapu thanked those who made it possible for the new school to realise its dream to graduate the pioneer students successful.
He thanked deputy provincial administrator Pipik Simon for donating two water tanks for the students to use, and for sponsoring the dux of the school.
Arikapu also thanked LLG advisor Brian Pim for committing K3500 to purchase a small generator for the school and another K500 for the dux of the Grade 9 class for the next couple of years.
He also thanked PNG Power Ltd (PPL) manager for donating a 100 KVA transformer to hook up power to the school, and Ialibu-Pangia community leader and PPL public relations officer Siro Yoko for donating four cartons of Gideon bibles to be presented to graduating students.