Kirene Primary transforms into a junior high school

Kirene Primary School, in the Kewabi Local Level Government (LLG), lalibu/Pangia District of Southern Highlands Province, is transforming its status into a junior high school.

The school’s board and administration worked to achieve this goal within ten years after the Southern Highlands Provincial Education Board [SHPEB] gave its approval in 2015.

Recently, officials from the Department of Education, including First Assistance Secretary - TVET Division, Mr. Wilson Garu, assessed the school's facilities.

The team checked school infrastructure, collected data, and reviewed classrooms and teachers' houses.

Mr. Garu stated that there are enough facilities to accommodate the first intake of grade seven students by using empty classrooms at the primary school while new facilities are under construction.

"Through my physical observation on the school now there are enough facilities to accommodate first intake of grade seven students borrowing few empty classrooms available at Kirene Primary School while new classrooms and facilities for the junior high school is going under construction".

Mr Garu said a report must first go through a board for screening and then be approved by the Education Secretary, Dr. Uke Kombra.

He said until then the school will then be declared a junior high school, followed by registration and the creation of teacher positions.

Meanwhile, the lalibu/Pangia District Development Authority [DDA] provided K300,000 in funding for the school's preparations.

LLG President, Mr. Gibbs Siri, stated this funding will kick-start construction.

President Gibbs Siri further told the people that the idea of a junior high school was his dream.

"All we need is the registration of the school through the National Education Department."

The school aims to start its grade seven intake by 2026.