Teacher Tony calls it a day

By ZACHERY PER
TONY Koyangko had tears in his eyes as he left the classroom for the last time on Friday, ending a career in teaching spanning more than 40 years.
“(Thousands) of children came through my classroom and school administration. Most of them are now big men and big women in government and private institutions occupying senior positions.”
The Yamiufa villager from Daulo Pass in Eastern Highlands is quitting after reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60.
His late father Gohena and late mother Serah had raised him in the village. He completed grades one to three at the Yamiufa Catholic Mission Community School. He continued his education at the Sacred Heart Faniufa Primary School run by Catholic Nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, from 1966 to 1968.
“I was then sent to the Maiwara minor seminary in Madang in 1969 to become a Catholic priest but my mother did not want me to become a priest. She wanted me to get married, so I quit.”
In 1971, Tony instead enrolled in a training to become a policeman. He became a police sub-inspector serving Chimbu province in Kundiawa town. But his desire to become a teacher forced him to change course again. So in 1975, he enrolled at the Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands and graduated in 1976.

“ (Thousands) of children came through my classroom and school administration life, most of them are now big men and big women in government and private institutions occupying senior positions.”

His first posting was to the St Therese Tafeto Community School in Daulo district. He served in various schools in Eastern Highlands including West Goroka, Faniyufa and Professor Schlinder Primary. “My final posting is West Goroka where I clocked up 43 years of service to the Education Department.”
Of his six children, two followed his footsteps to become teachers in primary schools. His daughter Anita is a lecturer at the University of Goroka after attaining a doctorate at a university in Japan.
On Friday, students, parents and teachers of West Goroka Primary School where he was the head teacher for the past 12 years farewelled him.
As a parting gift to them, and to brighten up the rather somber atmosphere, he told them a story of one of his girlfriends in the 1970s.
“The last time I saw her was in the village. I told her: My darling, now you are old. She told me to hold her hands and to kiss her hands and I did.”
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Tony called up a guitarist and sang a love song dedicated to that girlfriend from his village he still misses.
“My love to share jokes and fun with children forced me to become a teacher, even though I was already a policeman serving in Kundiawa.”

Looking back, Tony is satisfied that he has done the best he could to groom, mentor and prepare children for the future.
He thanks the education division of Eastern Highlands and the Government for giving him the opportunity to be a teacher and serve the people in the noble profession.
He also wishes his successor Naomi Urakoko and her deputy Lillian Supa all the best as they continue the work he started at the West Goroka school.
Now he plans to put his feet up at home and enjoy the cool mountain breeze at his village in Daulo. His job is done. He deserves to relax now.