School reminds students of unity, respect during celebration

SACRED Heart Catholic Primary School focused on respect and unity during their pre-independence celebrations in Port Moresby yesterday.
“With modern influences these days, many of our children don’t seem to respect their parents and elders,” school principal Pokatou Litau said.
“We want to remind our children about the importance of respect, which is something our culture teaches us. Respect in our children will teach them that there are boundaries and if those boundaries are broken, there are also consequences that they will have to face.”
The celebrations led by the elementary classes were supported by teachers and students.
“This traditional singsing should not only teach our students Papua New Guinea’s cultures and traditions but also the tie to unite all Papua New Guineans to come together,” Litau said.
He said he reminded his students of the situation faced by West Papuans and not to take this year’s independence for granted.
“As Papua New Guineans, there is a bond we share and that bond should not be broken but enhanced,” Litau said.
The elementary students put on traditional dances from different provinces and brought along some traditional food to share with their friends.
A proud and excited parent from Boku in the Rigo district, Central, at the celebrations said: “It is important for these little ones to know their traditions so they can grow up with them.”
The Rigo group displayed the famous kitoro, gebore and rigo melo gelegele dances that got the crowd excited through the beat of the drums.