Balob founder honoured for training generations of PNG teachers

Founding principal of Balob Teachers’ College in Morobe province, Frederick Stolz *(Supplied)*

Frederick Stolz, the founding principal of Balob Teachers’ College in Morobe province, has been awarded the King’s Papua New Guinea 50th Anniversary Independence Medal for his contribution to education.

Stolz, 91, received the medal from Papua New Guinea’s governor-general, Sir Bob Dadae, at a ceremony at Government Haus in Port Moresby on Monday.

He established the college through the Lutheran Mission in Papua New Guinea in 1965. Since then, more than 15,000 primary school teachers have graduated from the institution and served communities across the country.

Sir Bob recognised Stolz’s contribution to education, saying his work had helped shape the lives of generations of teachers and students.

Stolz, 91, received the medal from Papua New Guinea’s governor-general, Sir Bob Dadae, at a ceremony at Government Haus in Port Moresby on Monday *(Supplied)*

Balob Teachers’ College continues to train teachers in Morobe province, carrying on the work started by Stolz and his early staff.

Stolz attended the ceremony with his wife, Lois, and his grandson Brenton Kanowski, Australia’s consul-general to Papua New Guinea, who is based in Lae.