The private-run technical college, Hela Multi-skilled Training Institution, will be a model school in Hela Province.
Hela has recently seen a decrease in the enrollment of students into Lower and Upper Secondary, and more dropouts, because of tribal fights.
At the 2nd Graduation of the Training Institution, the Hela Provincial Government pledged to support the school so that students can upgrade their marks and become trades people.
A total of twenty-two students graduated with Certificates in Adult Literacy, Plumbing, Carpentry, Accounting, Tourism and Hospitality.
Three of the 22 graduates were women.
The school is just two years into its establishment.
These students do not have dormitories or specialized classrooms and equipment, but the school managed to complete the year.
School Principal, David Angobe, said the school started with only K25,000, and has seen gradual changes because of the support from local MPs.
Tari-Pori MP, James Marape, who witnessed the graduation, told the people of Hela Province to do away with tribal fighting, and embrace changes and development.
He supported the school and funded a double story classroom worth K220,000, and also assisted with the building of a mini hydro-powered project.
All the money were derived from the Tari-Pori District Services Improvement Program funds.
The institution has petitioned the Hela Provincial Education Department to turn the school into a public run technical college.
Currently, it comes under the TVET program but it is privately run.
Teachers are also not on the government payroll.
The school gets most of its funding from its agriculture program.
Lake Kopiago MP, Philip Undialu also pledged to continue to support the institution to make it become a model school in Hela Province.
The School currently has a total of 265 students, and only 8 teachers.
Many parents and guardians are interested to enroll their children next year. However the only issue they will face is the shortage of dormitories, specialized equipment, and classrooms.
Meanwhile, the establishment of the institution has attracted support from local businesses and government departments.
Hela Provincial Police Commander, Michael Welly, pledged to build a police station near the school.
The Principal Lawyer of Haiara Law firm, Justin Haiara, also donated a generator worth K350,000 to the school.
The Health and Education department also pledged to build their offices at Pangupi, where the institution is to support the school.
