Marape advocates for quality education as the best gift to children of Tari Pori District

The Prime Minister speaking at the opening of the school in Tari (Image: PMs Media)

In a recent visit to Hela province, Prime Minister James Marape said the greatest legacy he wishes to leave behind for the next generation of Hela Province is quality education.

Speaking at the opening and handover of three brand-new staff houses at the Hope Institute in Tari, the Prime Minister said material possessions such as money and wealth come and go, but education remains the key to a better future and must always be every parent’s top priority.

“Our plan and aim are to give hope to the children,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“They must feel that they are valued and that they can continue to learn and improve their lives
through the formal education system.”

Prime Minister Marape thanked Hela Governor Philip Undialu and the Hela Provincial Government for supporting the Hope Institute, describing it as a “second-chance school” for students who have completed Grades 8, 10, and 12 but were unable to progress to secondary or tertiary institutions.

He said the school, once located on swampy land, has been drained and rehabilitated for new infrastructure.

The three staff houses come fully equipped with white goods and an electricity supply (Image: PM's Media)

Mr Marape thanked Governor Undialu for giving three staff houses to accommodate the hard working teachers.

He noted that the original school buildings were damaged by a major earthquake, and development had been delayed by landownership issues. These have now been resolved, with the land placed under State ownership and managed by the Tari-Pori District and Hope Institute.

With these challenges resolved, construction will now proceed on new classrooms and staff housing, including a four-in-one double classroom funded by the Hela Provincial Government.

Mr Marape also announced plans to elevate Pai Hope Institute to university status in the future through the establishment of Hope Polytechnic College, catering to Grade 10 and 12 graduates.

“Dreams start small, and already there is a big ray of hope at Hope Institute,” the Prime Minister said. “That is my dream for Tari-Pori and Hela Province, to give hope to our children.”

The three new staff houses, valued at over K700,000 each, were prefabricated homes installed by the Hela Provincial Government. Each comes fully equipped with solar power, gas stoves, washing machines, and white goods—providing 24-hour electricity even during blackouts. These homes form part of 50 houses procured by the provincial government for police and essential service personnel, with three allocated to Hope Institute.

Chairman of the Hope Institute School Board, Pastor John Marape, expressed gratitude for the development, describing it as “a timely act of divine intervention.”

Hope Institute School Board Chairman, Pastor John Marape, addressing locals during the commissioning of the three houses (Image: PM's Media)

“I thank God for the wisdom He has given to our leaders to look into this school,” Pastor Marape said.

Governor Philip Undialu reaffirmed the Hela Provincial Government’s commitment to build the four-in-one double classroom and to donate a vehicle to assist with administration.

Mr Marape urged parents and youth to embrace technical and vocational training.

“As a former Education Minister, I want our young people to learn trade skills. When Hope Polytechnic is built, enroll and learn. Turn your skills into livelihoods.”

“We do not want any child to be left behind. Here at Hope Institute, we give them a second chance and a bright future,” the Prime Minister said.