Students in remote Gumine welcome new facilities.
Students in Gumine welcome new facilities.
‘’I chose Mary Immaculate Technical Secondary School because of its technical subjects taught here.
I’m learning many skills from this garment technology class and beginning to develop this passion for sewing. This school is the only institution that offers such subjects in the province. I’m proud to be witnessing developments in the school’’, said Anna Teine, a grade 12 student from Kundiawa Gembogl District.
Anna Teine
Like Anna, Carolie Kelveng is from Nuku District, Sandaun Province. She is currently a year ten student preparing to sit for her national exams. Many young girls in rural and peri-urban settings experience the struggles she highlighted.
‘’Nuku is such a remote place, and there aren’t opportunities for us girls; when girls don't make it into year nine or eleven end up getting married at a young age. They have few possibilities, and the cycle continues; only a handful leave their rural communities. The process continues – I am blessed to have come with the Sisters. This opportunity has given me a second chance in life.
‘’This latest infrastructure development is a blessing for us. It will improve learning for the girls. More space and address overcrowding issues in the dormitory and help us achieve our goals.’’
Mary Immaculate Girls Technical Secondary School is nestled in the heart of South Simbu and surrounded by a beautiful mountainous landscape with an amazing backdrop of valleys and gorges. It is the province's only all-girls Technical secondary school and is managed by the catholic church in Dirima, Gumine district.
Established in 1991 as a vocational school, it has provided life skills development for over three decades, educating and empowering girls in Simbu and the surrounding areas.
The school was elevated to secondary school status in 2015 by the provincial education board. It was good news for all; however, the challenges were immense, like any other rural school.
Principal Sr. Regina Anthony saw everything unfold.
‘’the elevation of this institution came too soon, and we weren't ready for it because we didn't have the infrastructure. However, we had to make do with what we had, so we converted our piggery into a classroom that gave us an added infrastructure. We couldn’t accommodate more students.’’
''We had staff housing and resources issues and didn't want to compromise student learning. I am blessed to have this group of teachers here; despite the numerous challenges in accommodation and running water, they are still here.''
The school wasn't struggling alone; the five communities surrounding the school have always been supportive.
‘’The communities took ownership of this institution and helped rebuild it themselves. They didn’t want to see their kids – especially girls leave to attend schools outside of their district. So, they took it upon themselves to help in any way they could to make everything run smoothly.’’
In 2020, the school was a proud recipient of a DFAT-funded incentive fund grant of 6.4 million kina. Its primary purpose is to increase the capacity of the school to enroll girls from Simbu and surrounding provinces by improving the quality of living and education facilities for girls at the school. Accommodating more girls on campus increases their safety, retention, and educational performance. As well as build teachers' houses and classrooms.
‘’This DFAT-funded project through the incentive fund has sparked much interest from different stakeholders. We now have a 76-bed dormitory that will improve learning for our girls, the classroom block, teachers' houses, and a few other infrastructures.’’
"We are changing attitudes about what girls can do and empowering girls to believe in themselves and their abilities, fulfilling the school's Motto 'Empower to Serve .'We are grateful to the PNG-Australia Partnership for helping us achieve this goal and reach even more girls yearly with these critical opportunities. Furthermore, such improved facilities found in remote places like Dirima is also a boost for more teachers in urban areas to consider teaching in rural-based scho
ols like MIGTSS." said Sr. Regina Anthony.
She has served for 25 years in the education sector and has seen many changes in Simbu province.
''We may have challenges, but the fact is that a lot of girls are now enrolling in schools. Parents have realized the importance of educating their daughters and sending them to school to be at the same level as their male counterparts. Mindsets are shifting, and the impacts are felt at the community and ward levels. So, here at Mary Immaculate, we are training to serve the next generation of girls or women who will participate equally in any decision-making in their respective societies.’’
‘’ We are privileged to have this girl’s institution in our place. The community has embraced it and is proud that the knowledge imparted to our children impacts the five communities surrounding the school.
‘’I have grown-up daughters and have always been adamant that they get educated and live decent lives. I want to see them succeed and make their mark in our society. It takes both men and women to be that agent of change when we work together, said Joe Bria a local winemaker and board member.
‘’We’ve always been known as the back page people because of its remoteness, lack of the services and road conditions,’’ ‘’Much of the development is concentrated in Kundiawa and other areas. For us to receive, this new infrastructure in Dirima is a blessing. And We are privileged to have Sr Regina, Sisters, and the teaching staff who devoted their lives to our kids. This infrastructure has made us stand out from the rest''.
The confident Carolie Kelveng, said she would take advantage of this facility to do well in school.
‘’I am honoured and grateful to be part of this institution. This infrastructure, funded by the people of Australia in partnership with the PNG government, will impact our lives. With a lot of space and study hall within the dormitory, I’m sure we will do well,'' she added with a smile.
‘’Another achievement for me is the financial literacy training I attended. These types of skills imparted early will help us develop that savings culture and prepare us to be responsible in life.
‘’I’m grateful to the Sisters and Teachers who have dedicated their lives for us here. New teachers’ houses will boost learning for the students. I leave after the exams, and I'm so happy that these facilities will boost students’ performance next year’’, Anna Teine.
"Empowering girls through education benefits everyone, not just the students. It means they can choose their career paths and support themselves, their families, and communities," said High Commissioner Jon Philp. "These upgraded facilities will encourage more girls to attend and stay in school."
Sharing the same sentiments, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Housing and Urbanisation say, "We need to support and encourage girls to access education opportunities, especially secondary technical education, so they can pursue their careers and contribute towards their communities and the PNG economy’’.
The new facilities include a new 76-bed dormitory, staff housing, student and staff ablution blocks and upgrades to facilities throughout the school, and a new 65kva generator to power up the newly constructed buildings. The PNG-Australia Partnership funded the upgrades through a 6.4-million-kina Incentive Fund grant.
END!!
Note: The interviews were done in late September 2022
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