PM backs Lutheran uni

PRIME Minister James Marape has urged the Evangelical Lutheran Church 32nd national synod to continue working on the concept of its university.
Speaking at the opening of the synod over the weekend at Boana, Morobe, Marape said: “Please refurbish this concept of a Lutheran-based university.
“We have talked about this previously but it has slowed down.
“The Lutheran university must come to pass as a memorial of this 32nd synod.
“I want to throw it on the floor here, that someone in the crowd pick it up.
“Lutheran is the second-biggest church so I ask you please, let’s work on this.
“The national government will pick up the university that the church wants, and we’ll get it going.
“Starting 2020, we’ll work on it and hopefully by 2025, when the nation celebrates 50 years of independence, our Lutheran university can lift its flag up and fly and take students in by that time.”
Marape supported a call by Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu for the establishment of a Lutheran elementary teachers’ college.
He said the Government had allocated K1 million for this.
He also told the Lutheran Church to come up with a plan for a university to get Government assistance.
“We will start a 10-year programme that will create the genesis of a Christian-based education system being run in our country,” Marape said.
“To make this country truly identified with Christian principles, our education system must be run by Christian churches.
“We (Government) are ready to work in partnership with you in the areas of health and education.
“You are already established in society, you are with the people.
“Our Government stands ready to embrace churches in the areas of health and education.
“These are two key services in the country that I want churches to play a bigger role in.”