By Wasita Royal
Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra says he played no role in the decision to name a new multi-million-kina building at Keravat National School of Excellence after him.
Dr Kombra revealed that he was only informed after the name had already been installed, saying he would have declined if he had been consulted.
“If they asked me, I would have said no. So they already put up the name, and later they told me,” he said during the official opening last week.
He said he did not know who initiated the honour, referring only to “the board or whoever has proposed” it.
The building was opened by the Minister for Education as part of a major upgrade at the historic institution, which was founded in 1947.
Dr Kombra said the transformation of the school has been remarkable, recalling his visit in 2016-17, when the two buildings opened on Friday were empty skeletons covered by bush.
“There were skeletons, and there was a huge bush that grew. It is a big, huge change that we have seen,” he said.
He credited the school’s leadership, governing council, and administration for the turnaround, saying funding alone is not enough without good management.
“We can give money to all institutions in the country, but if you don’t have the right cook, the money will be wasted,” he said.
He also commended contractor Jacom Building and Construction for going beyond the contract.
The Secretary praised Keravat’s academic performance, noting that it was ranked first in the country in 2024 before slipping to second last year.
“That performance does not come through a dream. It comes through hard work,” he said.
Closing his speech, Dr Kombra thanked the school for the honour.
“There have been a few classrooms and buildings here and there that they’ve called after my name, but this I would really treasure. It’s a multi-million-kina project, and you have given me that honor.
So thank you,” he said.
