Unicef gives big to EHP primary schools

National, Normal
Source:

Story and picture by ZACHERY PER

FIFTEEN schools in Eastern Highlands province yesterday received more than K50,000 worth of equipment from United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
The equipment was presented to the schools under Unicef’s child friendly school (CFS) and accelerating girls education programmes that started in 2006.
Unicef’s Goroka office chief Dr Arnold Calo-oy, Highlands regional Unicef programme coordinator David Glama and Unicef employees began presenting the equipment starting with Okiyufa Primary School, 4km west of Goroka town yesterday.
Other schools covered under the programme will receive their share before the end of the week.
Unicef provided 15 lawnmowers costing K3,000 each, 11 wheel barrows at K200 each, tools including spades, garden forks and grass rakes worth more than K3,000.
Among the schools which received the equipment were North Goroka, West Goroka, East Goroka, Okiyufa, Faniufa, Gorohanota, Ifiu-Iufa, Hewe, Kuso, Kama SDA and Notofana Primary School in Goroka district.
Sioke Primary School (Unggai-Bena district) and Okiguti Primary School (Lufa district) were also recipients.
Dr Calo-oy, who is leaving the area after completing his year-long contract heading Unicef’s Goroka zone office, said Unicef was committed towards developing child friendly environment in the schools to make children learn in a comfortable environment.
He urged teachers, students and school board of managements to take good care of the equipment and other support like the Tuffa tanks they also donated “We want to support school so they can provide basic education for school-aged children.
“We hope you will put into good use what we have provided,” he said.
Mr Glama highlighted the importance of developing good human resources for future development, adding that Okiyufa primary had won the inter-school debate in 2008.
He said to continue this year, they must be prepared.
“I call on the school to look after what we have given you so they can last to help the students in the long run,” Mr Glama said.
Acting head teacher John Yanda thanked the Unicef team for the donation saying they had been a close friend of Unicef.
He said they would look after the new lawnmower the other equipments Unicef had provided them and farewelled Dr Calo-oy and thanked him for his support.