APRIL 17 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Government is aware of its responsibility to build infrastructure at education institutions in the country.
He said this in Wewak on Thursday (April 14 2022) when opening K25 million worth of infrastructure at Divine Word University’s St Benedict’s Campus, which houses a primary school teachers’ college and a nursing school.
The infrastructure includes housing for lecturers, two double classrooms, an incubation laboratory, library extension, accommodation for students, two units for visitors, and dining hall extension.
“As a Government, we are cognisant of the need to build more infrastructure for schools,” PM Marape said.
He said St Benedict’s should be thankful that it was given this opportunity ahead of other education institutions in the country.
PM Marape said K15 million was allocated in the past while his Government chipped in another K10 million.
He thanked the St Benedict’s administration for making good use of the money to build such infrastructure which would benefit students from all over the country.
PM Marape asked the administration to work closely with Government in terms of course content, student intake and infrastructure to cater for the increasing number of Grade 12 school leavers.
He was of the view that the St Benedict’s campus should take in at least 1000 students per year.
PM Marape told the students that they were privileged to have such facilities and urged them to concentrate on their studies and not engage in alcohol, drugs, smoking, chewing betelnut and early marriage.
He told them his Government would continue to support them through its signature Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP).