By Stanley Ove Jr – EMTV NEWS Port Moresby
Engaging school students in public discussions and awareness is an effective way to disseminate information to a wider audience.
This was the approach used by PNG Customs in a recent border awareness campaign in Vanimo.
Various discussions on border issues and the work PNG Customs does were discussed which drew a lot of interest from the students.
“When we invite parents to come for this awareness, they don’t turn up. These kids will learn a lot and they will go back to their communities and educate their people,” Dapu Primary Head Teacher Susanna Sam said.
While adult literacy levels in Sandaun remains some of the lowest in the country, schools in the province continue to perform, and children are seen as better educators in their communities.
“We target schools because they in a better position to educate their families on issues to do with the border,” said Miana Tau-Mabone the Director of Border Management at PNG Customs.
With the success of the campaign, there is a call for PNG Customs to make it an annual event with schools the main target to drive awareness.
“This should be an annual event because these are border schools and they have to be aware of what is good and bad for them on the other side of the border, as well as know the developments taking place in PNG Customs and the use of the border,” Mrs. Sam said.
