Education is foundation for Hela’s future

Education is the foundation for the future of Hela Province, says Governor Philip Undialu.

“Every student who graduates represents another opportunity for our province to build a better, more skilled and responsible generation. Because of this significant event, we had to postpone the Pori LLG Gun Surrender Program scheduled for Thursday to today, Friday,” he said.

Speaking during the Hoiebia Secondary School graduation last Thursday in Tebi LLG, Tari-Pori District, Governor Undialu congratulated the graduands and said their journey does not end at graduation but marks the beginning of a new chapter and greater responsibility.

A total of 60 Grade 12 students and 102 Grade 10 students graduated.

He said Hela is a new province that has faced many challenges in law and order and school infrastructure, but he acknowledged the graduands for persevering and closing one chapter of their education.

“Many students who were supposed to be inside the classroom were deprived of their rights, and as a responsible Government, we are doing all we can to address this issue. One of it is through the Illegal Gun Surrender Program, which started in this LLG first,” he said.

Governor Undialu said that the province is now in the hands of the new generation, and that is the reason he and his team have had sleepless nights to ensure guns are removed so children can focus on their education.

“Under my leadership and when the now Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu was the Education Services Director, we created 16 new high schools and upgraded 5 to secondary schools. We also created 19 FODE and TVET centres and 40 primary schools around the province so that opportunities can be made available there,” he said.

He acknowledged the Tebi LLG community for surrendering 18 high-powered guns in the name of peace, education and other Government services.

The event also coincided with the official opening of the new Administration Building and staff houses, jointly delivered through the partnership between the Hela Provincial Government and the Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA).