NIP model school chosen for major facelift

ONE of New Ireland’s pioneer schools, Namatanai Secondary School, will be given a major facelift after being chosen as the model secondary institution in the province.
The school has been recently criticised because of its dilapidated infrastructure, poor water and sanitation and administrative issues.
But it would undergo rehabilitation under the provincial government’s infrastructure and rehabilitation drive beginning next month.
Governor Sir Julius Chan said basic maintenance to essential utilities had begun at the school to enable the start of classes. The maintenance and rehabilitation phase will start in March through funding from the Lihir tax credit scheme.
All major schools in the province had suffered because of neglect plus wear and tear.
Sir Julius said a major campaign budgeted for this year should inject a new life and give schools a facelift using funding from Lihir Gold through the tax credit facility.
The provincial government, Newcrest and relevant state agencies have finalised an agreement to fund the rehabilitation programme at Namatanai and other secondary and high schools.
It will see an upgrade of school infrastructure, installation of reticulated water and sanitation, power supply and teachers housing.
Sir Julius said school children, teachers and the school boards should witness the level of care and attention their government was giving to their education institutions.
He said it gave New Ireland children the best opportunities to excel in their education and future endeavours.
The New Ireland government had been at loggerheads with the national government over the Lihir grants, even threatening secession if no favourable outcome was reached.