School gets fundings

A VOCATIONAL school in East New Britain  has received K3 million from the National Government for a major rehabilitation programme.
The release of the money by Governor Leo Dion on Tuesday means that rehabilitation and rebuilding of the Vunamami farmers training centre (VFTC) would start within the next four months.
The K3 million fulfills the commitment made by Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu last year when he attended the school’s graduation.
Sir Puka who was appalled at the deteriorating infrastructure at the school, made the funding commitment.
Mr Dion presented the cheque for  K3 million to the school, which came from the National Government’s K15 million rehabilitation of education sector institution fund ( RESI) this year.
He also presented K100,000 from the provincial government as counterpart funding in the rehabilitation programme.
The money would be used to set up new building facilities including dormitories and accommodation for teachers and a new office complex.
VFTC had also been selected by the US government for assistance through its Pacific partnership programme and would undergo some major rehabilitation work on the school’s  infrastructure.
Mr Dion saluted the former US ambassador to PNG Leslie Rowe for selecting the school in his province.
He challenged the school board and management in the use of the money accountable.
He said the public was already aware of the Kerevat National High School and Maltech High School situation and did not want the same happening for VFTC.
VFTC manager Adrian Balagawi announced that the US navy ship USS Mercy would berth in East New Britain waters early next year to allow the US Army and PNG Defence Force engineering troops to do some projects  at VFTC.
This was confirmed to Mr Balagawi by two US army personnel who had visited the school last month under the Pacific partnership programme.