Schools in Huon get new facilities from Digicel

BIBI Primary School and its feeder school, Boac Elementary School were proud recipients of Digicel PNG Foundation’s investment in education infrastructure on Saturday.
Both double classroom projects were funded by the foundation at a cost of K285,000.
Bibi Primary School’s large double classroom will provide much needed space for 80 extra students.
At K200,000, this education infrastructure package includes an office space and 20 double desks, a water tank, two kit showers and two ventilation improved toilets.
 Bibi’s feeder school, Boac Elementary School, received a similar but smaller steel pre-fabricated double classroom providing additional classroom space for 40 students. At a cost K85,000, this package includes an office space and a water tank.
Bibi Primary School and Boac Elementary School are located in Bukawa, along the North Coast of Huon Gulf, northeast of Lae city.
They serve two LLG wards in one of the least developed areas of the province with a population of more than 2,000 people. The schools are accessible only by sea on an hour-and-a-half boat ride from Lae.
Bibi Primary School was established by the government in 1988 and has an enrolment of 230 students.
The school has six teachers and was recently upgraded to a level 4.
Boac Elementary School, on the other hand, is a Lutheran Church agency school which was established in 2009 to meet the needs of the growing community.
There are three grades each with a single class from elementary prep to elementary 2, taught by three registered teachers.
Boac community chairman, Gabby Awateng said: “We greatly appreciate Digicel Foundation’s assistance in providing proper facilities for our elementary and primary school here in Bukawa. Education is important for the future of our children.
“This new infrastructure will motivate our children to continue their schooling and help ensure the sustainability of our community and country.”
Both schools have not had any maintenance work over the years and although the community has helped in their upkeep, the elements have contributed to their rundown state.
Digicel Foundation chief executive officer Marina van der Vlies, said; “Despite continuous hardship faced by Bibi Primary School and Boac Ele­men­tary School, they have continued to grow with the support of their community.”
“And it is this great community partnership that is worthy of our support as we recognize their drive to become stronger communities for the future.”
The Digicel Foundation has so far has funded 131 community based projects covering 20 provinces in PNG and put K8 million back into marginalized PNG communities, directly impacting more than 100,000 people.