One school’s success story

THERE has been much talk on the success stories of schools throughout the country in the two-day national conference held at the PNG Education Institute organised by the PNG College of Educators from Sept 7-8.
One such school is the Sagalau Demonstration Primary School in the Madang province, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last Sunday.
The school has more than 700 students and 32 teachers and on Tuesday, school official David Bulu pointed out his school was moving ahead in the implementation of the new reform curriculum.
“We need a curriculum that is qualitative and relevant to PNG and the reform curriculum is the one we need because it is based on our culture and beliefs and most importantly, it prepares our children for productive community living,” he said.
Mr Bulu outlined some of the success stories that enhanced student learning and boosted their interest as well as participation from teachers, parents and stakeholders.
Accelerating Girls Education (AGE) was established in 2003 and the outcome was to retain and re-enroll mostly girls into school to complete their basic primary education before leaving school.
“In 2004, we enrolled 21 … 24 in 2005 and in 2007, we were able to pass seven into Grade Nine at Good Shepherd High School and I’m pleased to say that four have made it to Grade 11 while the other three others obtained employment in private sector.
“Others are still in lower grades,” he said.
The school is also a health promoting school (HPS).
It also has poultry project for each class, has rice and vegetables farms and a school brass band which is a project under the arts programme,  just to name a few.
“The school band is now on hire for the opening ceremony of the Madang independence celebrations and festival show,” he stressed.
Mr Bulu said that the implementation of the curriculum reform was appropriate and relevant as all schools needed a more flexible.