News
Valupai secondary hosts pioneer graduation
By Patrick Makis
The Saint Joseph Valupai Catholic Secondary School in West New Britain Province has achieved a significant milestone with the passing out of its pioneer batch of Grade 12 students.
The school was elevated from a Junior High School to Secondary School in 2022 and has now seen the graduation of twenty-seven pioneer students who passed out in a ceremony held at the school yesterday.
Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and Member for Talasea, Freddie Reu Kumai were among the dignitaries who officiated at the graduation ceremony.
Saint Joseph Valupai Catholic Secondary School is located in the Ward 8 area of the Talasea Local Level Government and its elevation to secondary status is the brainchild of Talasea MP, Freddie Reu Kumai.
“In 2022, I made a bold statement to graduate the first batch of Grade 12 students in 2026, and this has now happened,”
“To the graduates, you’re a special batch as you’re the pioneers and you carry the dreams and aspirations of Saint Joseph Valupai Catholic Secondary School and the entire Talasea district,” Mr Kumai said.
He also acknowledged the Catholic Diocese of Kimbe under Bishop, Reverend John Bosco Auram for partnering with the government to deliver education services in the Talasea District and especially with the operations of the Saint Joseph Valpuai Catholic Secondary School.
The Talasea District Development Authority Board invested over K5 million in the construction of new facilities to match secondary school standards as alluded to by the Talasea MP.
“We have built quality infrastructure here to ensure this school provides the level of education required for secondary school standards. Infrastructure built here are among the best compared to other secondary schools in the province,” Mr Kumai clarified.
Meanwhile, the West New Britain Provincial Government also provided counterpart funding totaling nearly a million Kina to assist with the construction of new facilities at the school.
This funding went towards the construction of an Administration building, a Science Laboratory and a teacher’s house.
Governor Muthuvel formally commissioned the new teacher’s house after the graduation ceremony (NBC News)
Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said his government is happy to partner with the Talasea DDA Board to improve services in the district and will continue to counter fund the development aspirations of the Talasea MP.
Governor Muthuvel formally commissioned the new teacher’s house after the graduation ceremony.