Koroba district commits K200,000 for students

The Koroba Lake Kopiago District Development Authority has paid K100,000 towards tuition for 120 students at Dauli Teachers College, with a further K100,000 to be released before the end of the academic year.

DDA chief executive officer Stanley Kotange handed over the cheque at Hela 1 Building in Tari on Thursday to college Principal Wix Luvi and student representative Max Michael.

“This K100,000 will support 120 of our students at the college,” Kotange said. “Another K100,000 will be paid before the year ends.”

He said the district has students studying at institutions across PNG, and the DDA is also supporting young people training as pastors.

“We’re raising future teachers, other public servants and pastors who will go back and serve as agents of change,” he said. “We know the DDA has other priorities, but education comes first.”

Kotange urged parents to share the responsibility for school fees.

“Parents must not expect government to pay 100% of their children’s fees,” he said. “Sometimes DDA funding from Waigani is delayed, and when that happens students suffer. If parents pay first and DDA pays later, the excess can be carried forward or refunded.”

He said the goal is for graduates to return home and serve.

“We’re investing in these students so they come back to Koroba, Kopiago to teach, lead, and build our district.”Principal Luvi thanked KLK DDA for its ongoing support and acknowledged the Hela Provincial Government through the Hela Undialu Foundation for its continued assistance, along with support from other DDAs.

Student rep Max Michael, speaking on behalf of the 120 beneficiaries, thanked KLK MP William Bando and the district administration.

“Most of us come from poor families,” Michael said. “This support is the reason many of us are still in school. We’re committed to going back and serving our people.”