The Enga Teachers College will receive a new classroom block under the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership to support the college’s goal of becoming a national leader in teacher training.
The PGK10 million project includes a library, a state of the art science and computer lab, 16 classrooms and extra male and female toilets. All new facilities will be accessible to people with disabilities.
The project will increase access to primary teacher training to meet the demand for primary school teachers nation-wide, including in Enga. Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas launched the project in Wabag.
Sir Peter said the project will also help create 500 jobs during the construction phase. “The expansion will help the school realise its vision of becoming a fully‑developed teacher training facility by 2025 and will produce an additional 300 new teachers in the next five years”, he said.
Mr Davis said he was very pleased to be supporting the project and commended the school for making the new structures accessible for people with disabilities. He also acknowledged the close engagement of the Enga Provincial Government in the project design.
“More than new classrooms, these facilities will support Enga’s ambition to become one of the top teacher training colleges in PNG”, he said.
Deputy Principal John Ambelo said teachers played a key role in the development of their province and in their communities.
“In the remote communities around Enga, they are regarded as very important people, a source of income beyond cash crops and it helps their tribe and family,” Mr Ambelo said.
Full design plans and tender for the works contractor will soon be finalised and the project is on track to be completed by June 2019.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100
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Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas (left), Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis (centre) and Enga Teachers College Principal Michael Homingu officially launching the project.