Korige, a remote village on the border of Madang and Eastern Highlands provinces has finally opened its first primary school.
Korige Primary school is the first government service to reach these remote communities.
“We have not seen any form of service here since independence. A lot of parliamentarians that we’ve voted into parliament have been confused about our location because we are seated on the border, this is why services are lacking because our leaders are not sure if we are part of their province,” said spokesperson Sio Melisi.
Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra, says the community’s efforts in building classrooms and teachers’ houses shows the people’s desire and need for service.
The Education Secretary accompanied Education Minister, Jimmy Uguro on a visit to the school.
Education Secretary, Dr. Uke Kombra, praised the community for embracing change and investing their time in building the classrooms and teachers houses.
“Most of the work has already been done by you (the people), it shows your desire and heartfelt need for service,” said Dr Kombra.
Education Minister and member for Usino Bundi, Jimmy Uguro, officiated the ground-breaking ceremony to open the new school and presented a cheque of K20,000 toward the construction a new library for the school.
Usino District Development Authority also gave K50,000 to the newly established school to buildup the school.
Currently the materials used to build the school are of bush material and the funding will go toward building more permanent structure for the school.
“This Government’s vision is to build up schools in rural areas, so that education standards are constant throughout the country” said Mr Uguro.
The people of Korige are still in need of other services like health and road links.
It takes almost two days to travel to the nearing Madang and Goroka towns.
“Our lives are simple but difficult when we go in search for market places and health treatment. We travel on foot, climbing mountains and valleys to get to find services that can help us,” a local woman of Korige said.
