The Australian High Commission joined Bougainville Department of Education Secretary Dorothy Kenneth, Bougainville State of Emergency Deputy Controller Belinda Mari-Lanbong, as well as church and school leaders, parents, and community representatives, to celebrate the launch of the Bougainville School Recovery Support and Breakfast Initiative.
Supported by the Australian Government and delivered through the Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) program, the School Recovery Support package includes funding for up to 40 primary schools affected by Cyclone Maila to repair classrooms, and Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
Support also includes teaching and learning materials, and additional teaching resources to support students’ continued learning. Training and counselling support for parents, teachers, Boards of Management, and students affected by the cyclone will also be provided.
Further, early grade learners from Primary Schools in Buin, South Bougainville will receive a breakfast pack each. Parents and caregivers from Buin Primary Schools will also engage in advocacy session on meal planning nutritious meals for their children.
Designed to ensure that all students have access to an inclusive education, the Initiative aligns with campaigns led by the Bougainville Department of Education (BDoE) which encourage regular meals and good nutrition for children.
The School Recovery Support and Breakfast Initiative package provides targeted assistance to students and schools affected by Cyclone Maila. This forms part of Australia’s broader recovery support efforts, and reaffirms our longstanding commitment to supporting student wellbeing, and to strengthening school recovery and resilience.
Bougainville Department of Education Secretary Dorothy Kenneth added: “We would like to thank Australia for responding to the recovery efforts of Bougainville, the School Recovery Support and Breakfast Initiative will support continued recovery efforts and help students come to school nourished, focused, and ready to participate. Together, we can help ensure that Bougainville’s children return to safe, supportive learning environments and continue their education with confidence and resilience.”
Australia remains committed to supporting restoring safe, supporting learning environments for children, and to collaborating with government, schools, communities and partners towards better learning outcomes for children.
ENDS
(L-R) ABG Community Development Secretary, Mr Medly Koito, United Church Education Agency Secretary Rev. Abraham Vaelani, Catholic Education Secretary Joyceanne Pinoko, ABG Education Department Secretary Dorothy Kenneth, Deputy Controller and Secretary Community Government, Belinda Mari-Lanbong and Australian High Commission representative Greer Smith, with students of Hahela Elementary School during the official launch of the Bougainville School Recovery Support and Breakfast Initiative.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100