Somare supports college

By ROSELYN ELLISON
EAST Sepik Governor Sir Michael Somare has assured communities living along the middle and upper part of Sepik River that the only community college in the area will be improved.
Speaking during the launching of the Rural Community Education and Promotion of Culture and Tourism at St Andrew Rural Community College last Saturday, Sir Michael said the Community College establishment in the country was a concept adapted from India.  
The concept would help students who could not make it to institutions of higher learning.
He made an appeal to the surrounding communities to take ownership of the school, saying such an institution built in the community was for the community.
He said the community colleges were meant to be in the community so that youths and those who may wish to upgrade their skills can do so.
Sir Michael commended school manageress Emilyn Kopania for her work.
He also thanked the surrounding communities for making their land available for the school.
“You have seen the need of your children and your decision is a wise decision,” he said.
He told the people education would change the nation and he really wanted every individual to focus more on education.
During the launching Sir Michael made a commitment of K100,000, which will cater for the school administration affairs, double library building, a staff house and five desktop compu­ters.
Kopania said the school had 100 students on full-time courses.
Kopania said St Andrew’s Rural Community College would ensure appropriate vocational education was delivered.
Provincial education adviser Joseph Auli thanked Sir Michael for the financial help for edu­cation in the pro­vince.
Auli assured Sir Michael he would work closely with his office to deliver better education to the people and improve the standard, and to improve the standard in the province.