Yokua school opens new chapter with reconciliation event
Yokua Primary School in Watut Ward, Bulolo District, is marking its 50th anniversary with more than just a celebration but hosting a reconciliation ceremony aimed at healing old wounds and paving the way for a brighter future. The milestone coincides with Papua New Guinea’s 50th independence anniversary, making the occasion even more symbolic.
The remote school, one of the oldest in Morobe Province, has struggled for decades with poor academic results and inadequate infrastructure. Community members believe some of the challenges stem from the school’s troubled past, when forefathers mistreated missionaries and mine explorers.
Senior teacher Lenny Immanuel said the reconciliation event, involving the five landowners and key stakeholders, is a critical step toward revitalising the school.
“We have not been operating well for the past five decades. Reconciliation with our landowners and stakeholders is the first step in giving our school a new beginning,” Immanuel said.
“It will help us improve the learning environment and the academic outcomes for our children.”
The school is appealing to stakeholders, including Hidden Valley Mine, Mineral Resource Authority, Bulolo District Development Authority, and PNG Forest Products, to attend and support the program, whether through cash or material contributions.
Yokua Primary, a Level 5 school, serves 10 surrounding village communities. Many of its buildings are semi-permanent due to poor road access, which has made transporting construction materials difficult over the years.
The school also thanked local MP Sam Basil Junior for providing K50,000 towards a new two-in-one classroom, part of a district-wide initiative benefiting 32 schools.
"This anniversary is not just a celebration of the past 50 years, but a commitment to a better future,” Immanuel said.
The two-day program will feature both the celebration and the reconciliation ceremony, giving students, staff, and the community an opportunity to unite and look forward to a renewed era of learning and growth at Yokua Primary School.
