Education is an Essential Human Right for Our People : O'Neill
The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, has again asserted that education is an essential human right for everyone in the modern world.
He said education is not an exclusive right for the rich and for the privileged people, but it should be seen as a right for every person in Papua New Guinea. He made these remarks during the inaugural graduation of the Enga Institute of Business Studies (IBS) in Ireilya, just outside of Wabag Town, on Friday. The event saw 27 local students graduate with Bachelors Degrees in Accounting and Information, and in Technology and Communications.
“Enga Province is leading Papua New Guinea in educating its young generation,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said to students, families and faculty. “I want to tell you that our country is changing because we now have highly educated Papua New Guineans in our workforce truly serving and developing our country.”
The Prime Minister further spoke of the vision of Governor Peter Ipatas, who was first elected by the people of Enga 17 years ago, which he said has proven to be a wise choice by the people. “The undying commitment by your Governor in making education a priority for Enga province is now evident all throughout Papua New Guinea.
“We have Engans working in virtually every department and sector in our country.” “It was in fact an Engan pilot that flew me to the province from Port Moresby.
“You can now see that your governor did not make a mistake in investing largely in education and skills training. “When we came to Government in 2011, we saw the results of Governor Ipatas’ achievements and adopted many of his policies at the national level.
“People can look to our Tuition Fee Free policy, which has enabled an additional one million children to be educated in the last three years, and thank Governor Ipatas for his ideas. “I don’t think many countries in the world today achieve these kinds of achievements with the population that we have.
“Planti bilong yumi i save hangere long edukeitim ol pikinini bilong yumi. Yumi save hangere long salim ol i go long skul. Nau wantaim dispela fri edukesen polisi, ol pikinini blong yumi bai i gat sans long senisim dispela kantri blong yumi.
“Edukesen tasol bai senisim dispela kantri.”
The government’s decision to increase funding for education in Papua New Guinea has seen budget allocation increase from less than one billion kina in last three years to over two billion Kina in 2015. This means almost 20 percent of the total national budget is dedicated to educating the children who are the future of the nation.
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill further acknowledged that Enga Province is leading the way in terms of change and development. “Enga has many development programs and is implementing these for the people.”
The Prime Minister made note of the recent National Leaders’ Summit that took place in Port Moresby last week where parliamentarians and officials met to review government progress in the past three years and plan for the future. “Leadership Summit discussions were very fruitful and detailed tangible developments that are being effectively implementing at the provincial and district levels.
“One of the outstanding provinces was Enga that has showcased to the country its development progress in health, education, law and order, infrastructure and strengthening of small businesses in the community. “This is taking place because of good, strong leadership that this province has.”
“I applaud the Governor’s outstanding development programs and urge the people to take pride and ownership of their Governor Ipatas’ initiatives.”
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill also thanked the IBS and its partner Southern Cross University (Australia), the Ipatas Foundation and the Enga Provicial Government for its efforts in supporting and promoting education in Enga Province.
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