Primary school receives bus

A PRIMARY school in North Fly, Western, is the proud recipient of a new school bus, thanks to a local association.
The St Leo Matkomnai Primary School, located 50km from Kiunga town, received the new 25-seater bus on June 18 from the Tutuwe Ara Women and Children’s Association.
The association is one of eight in the community mine continuation agreement region.
Others include the Ok Tedi mine village women and children’s association in the Star Mountains.
The bus, which cost K173,256, will be used to transport students, some of whom walk about 10km every day to attend classes.
Headmistress Winnie Iwik said the bus would help the school with its administrative tasks and school excursions.
“When I travel on PMVs, I see children walking,” she said.
“I feel very sad for them.
“My heart cries for them, but how can I help?
“So thank you Tutuwe Ara Women Children’s Association for donating the bus.”
The primary school is located in Matkomnai village, with elementary schools in nearby villages and surrounding communities, with increasing student enrolment each year.
The school has 310 students and 12 staff members, teaching classes from grades three to eight.
Iwik said the school was expecting an increase in student numbers next year as more students were attending the elementary schools in the surrounding communities.
OTDF assisted the association to purchase and transport the bus from Port Moresby.