Kokoda Junior High hosts 3rd annual provincial cultural show

Kokoda primary school students and parents during the provincial school's cultural show *(NBC News)*

Seven schools from across Northern Province came together this week for the 3rd annual Provincial Schools Cultural Show, held at Kokoda Junior High School to promote language, culture, and peace among students.

Held under the theme “Celebrating Our Culture, Shaping Our Future”, the one-day event was funded by United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO PNG in collaboration with the Northern Provincial Education Division.

Tufi Primary school students and parents performing their cultural dance *(NBC News)*

The cultural show was first introduced in 2024 at Afore High School. In 2025, Martyrs Memorial Secondary School hosted the event. This year, 2026, Kokoda Junior High School took the lead.

Speaking at the event, UNESCO PNG Director General, Joseph Auli said the organization has observed positive behavioral changes in students over the three years of funding the program.

Director General for UNESCO PNG Joshep Auli *(right)* provincial education advisor Maino Vegoli *(left)* and delegates welcomed by Kokoda primary school students at Kokoda station *(NBC News)*

“I am impressed to see school children participating in cultural show. UNESCO recognizes culture as important to human development, identity, and peace,” Auli said.

“As we celebrate culture today, we are also shaping our future through preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.”

He elaborated that tangible heritage includes traditional tools, carvings, pottery, clothing, bilums, houses, archaeological sites, sacred places, and museum collections.

While intangible heritage includes indigenous languages, oral traditions, songs, dance, customs, and ceremonies.

Auli urged students to take an active role in preserving their culture:

“You are not just the future custodians of PNG’s cultural heritage, but the future of our culture going forward. You can start building this future today through learning traditional stories, mastering traditional songs and dances, documenting community history, and using technology to preserve and promote our heritage globally.” Auli said.

The participating schools were Kokoda Junior High, Kokoda Primary, Mamba Primary, Kiorota Primary, Ioma Junior High, Martyrs Secondary, and Tufi Junior High School.

Kiorota Primary and Ioma Junior High School will co-host the next Provincial Schools Cultural Show in 2027.