Partners fund school labs

STUDENTS and staff of Fr Peter Fatima Secondary School in Banz, Jiwaka, celebrated the launch of two computer laboratories last Friday.
The computer laboratories were named after statesman and former director of PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd (PNGSDP) late Sir Ebia Olewale, in honour of his contribution to the country, especially in the education sector.
The laboratories are equipped with 80 new desktop computers.
The project was funded jointly by PNGSDP at a cost of K250,000.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Mt Hagen provided counterpart funding of K27,767.50; Fatima Secondary School contributed K100,000 while some of the funds were donated by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
Daltron PNG provided the installation and IT support.
The ceremony was witnessed by Archbishop Douglas Young of the Mt. Hagen Catholic Archdiocese; representatives from PNGSDP, Daltron and other invited guests.
Fr Clement Papa, chairman of school, thanked the various stakeholders for making the IT project possible.
Lawrence Stephens, PNGSDP’s programme manager for community & social investment programme, said PNGSDP was drawn to assist when the company was approached by the school’s former IT teacher John Kanz, supported by Young.
Under PNGSDP’s community sustainable development programme, a total grant of K250, 000 was approved by the board of directors   for the purchase of 80 computers and relevant software and hardware components to equip the IT laboratories and the library with facilities.
Young acknowledged the partners in the project, especially PNGSDP. 
He said: “PNGSDP’s community projects are done with only K4 million throughout the country, and but our members of parliament have K10 million just for their district.”
Elijah Robin, president of the students’ representative council thanked PNGSDP for the computers and PNG Tailoring for providing the school with new uniforms.