Rundown school opens new classroom

 STUDENTS at a remote school between the borders of Enga and Southern Highlands received a double classroom, tuffa tanks, septic toilets and shower blocks from Digicel Foundation.

Nol Primary School in the Lai-Valley local level government, Southern Highlands, was picked out from thousands of applicants applying for donation from the company.

School principal Peter Gauluma said when he first arrived at a few years ago, the school was rundown and the teachers posted to the area did not turn up due to its remoteness.

He said the school board struggled and had finally had permanent and semi-permanent buildings.

Gauluma said the school served hundreds of students living in the Kandep district of Enga and others living in the Lai-Valley LLG.

Digicel Foundation representative John Andrew said the company a had keen interest in supporting the education sector because the future of the country depended of human resource. 

He said Digicel Foundation was a non-profit organisation that distributed and utilises funds on a charitable basis for the sole purpose of building communities.

“The building is constructed from pure metals and is equipped with solar lights powered by four solar panels,” Andrew said.

 It is erected because of hard work done by some people and the surrounding community must appreciate their effort and take good care of the infrastructures that worth K240, 000,” he said.

He said some other services Digicel Company provides are Meri Seif House (for victims of domestic abuse), mobile clinic and life skill training.

“The company strives to support projects in PNG that cater to educational, social, and cultural opportunities that will inspire and build positive energy in its citizens, which will in turn lead to stronger self sufficient communities,” he said.

He said other schools in the country can apply to Digicel Foundation but there are certain steps and procedures that should be followed.

“The building is equipped with solar lights and distant students will reside at the school and make use of the lights for their night studies,” he said.