Prime Minister thanks founding principal as Balob Teachers College marks 60 years

Prime Minister James Marape has thanked Fred Stolz, the founding principal of Balob Teachers College in Lae, for his service to education in Papua New Guinea. He also congratulated the college on its 60th anniversary.

Mr Stolz, an Australian who first arrived in PNG in 1965, returned to Lae on Thursday, May 8, to join the celebrations. In an emotional speech, he looked back on the early days of the college and how it has grown into one of the country's key teacher training institutions.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Papua New Guinea, I sincerely thank Mr Fred
Stolz for his visionary leadership and service to our country.

“His dedication to education laid the foundation for thousands of Papua New Guinean
teachers who have gone on to serve in every province of our nation. Mr Stolz is a true friend
of PNG, and his legacy will live on in the generations of students shaped by Balob", the prime minister said in a statement released Sunday morning.

The Prime Minister also commended the Lutheran Church and the German Government for helping to establish Balob Teachers College by providing funding and staff. He said the college has grown over the years into a strong, inclusive institution that now serves students from across the country.

“Balob Teachers College represents the very best of partnership in development,” the prime
minister said. “Today, it stands as a national pillar of teacher training and a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in education.”

Mr Stolz, in his remarks, said that moving to Papua New Guinea in 1965 was the best decision of his life. He said the experience changed him in a positive way and gave him great respect for the strength and kindness of the PNG people.

Balob Teachers College has trained over 10,000 teachers in the past six decades and continues to grow in strength and impact, now offering a three-year diploma program to students from all four regions of the country