Madang schools recognised by Education department

Six primary schools in Madang's Sumkar District were finally recognised by the Education Department this week after they were issued their respective registration codes by the department.

The schools are Dylup, Imbab, Pepaur, and Budum on the mainland (Sumglibar LLG) and Kidoka and Taur on Karkar Island.

The schools have been operating for many years without any proper recognition by the department.

Kidoka is the oldest of the six. It has been operating for 20 years solely on community support.

Four of the schools are church- run, whilst two are government institutions.

Head teachers, school board members, and students from the six schools converged at Megiar Primary School to witness the occasion, which was described by the district school inspector, Wargem Wargem, a 'joyful moment' for them.

Mr Wargem said that with the registrations now sorted out, each school will now have six funded positions, beginning next year.

They will also start receiving TFF funds plus other benefits from the government.

Local MP, Alex Suguman, who was also present to witness the unveiling of the schools' code numbers, congratulated the schools on this milestone.

"I want to congratulate you on being officially registered as primary schools. As your responsible government, we will continue to support you. We are your partner and will work together with other partner agencies like the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church to give you support.

"Sumkar DDA has given you some support through our Infrastructure Support Grant. Being registered is not the end of it. The next part is we have to work to elevate you up. We have to build more teachers' houses and classrooms.” Suguman said.

MP Suguman said his team will push to further develop the schools and put teachers on payrol.

He said that Sumkar before had a lot of educated elites who held high positions in both the government and private sector. That was about 10- 15 years ago. But now, we don't have it anymore, and we have to start doing something now to bring that back.

“Our vision since 2022 was to elevate the education sector in Sumkar District. So, now we are putting this into action, we the DDA will support you, and we will drive this together," Suguman said.