New school kits

 By MIRIAM MALAWA

MORE than 1000 schools throughout the country now have access to free education kits following the launching of the commodity component of the Tuition Fee Free Education (TFFE).

Iopara Primary School, in Abau District, Central, was chosen for the launching of the project, which is a partnership between the Education Department and schools stationery supplier, Treid Pacific Ltd.

Students and parents gathered to witness the launching, which was witnessed by Education Minister Nick Kuman, Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu, Education Secretary Dr Michael Tapo and Treid Pacific general manager Wilson David. Sir Puka is the local MP for Abau.

The TFFE commodity component was initiated by the O’Neill Government to improve the quality of learning by supplying education kits to students and teachers in all government schools throughout PNG.

The education kits consist of basic learning materials and stationery, which will be given out at the beginning of the school year. 

Tapo said for a long time the department had been trying to find ways to ensure that school children were able to get what they needed to make their learning more effective. 

“But now the time has come because the Government has realised that education is an important tool for success, therefore it is a policy and a priority for Government,” he said. 

Tapo said it was the first time for Government to ensure that students and teachers had school stationery.

David said his company’s aim was to partner with the three levels of the government to effectively deliver the education kits to every child. 

He said they had developed a documentary system that would demonstrate how the supplies reached each child and school. 

He said Treid Pacific was awarded the contract through the normal tender processes and would deliver education supplies to all schools from July to October.