Milne Bay Governor urges students to aim high

By Abby Yadi

GRADUATING students at two secondary schools in Milne Bay Province were told to aim high, even if opportunities for further education seem limited.

Senior church leaders blessing the pioneer Gr 12 students

at their graduation on Saturday.

Milne Bay Governor Titus Philemon gave the challenge to graduating students on Hagita Secondary School and Wesley Secondary School at the weekend.

Governor Philemon witnessed the combined Grade 10 and 12 graduations at Hagita on Friday and was guest speaker at the Wesley Secondary School on Saturday.

Speaking at the Wesley Secondary School’s inaugural Gr 12 graduation, Mr Philemon said the school has produced some of the best the country has seen, including former Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology, Professor Misty Baloiloi, Civil Aviation Minister and Esa’ala MP, Davis Steven, Captain Timothy Narara and more.

The Governor said he himself was a former student of the school, but that he left after form 2 (now Grade 8) to pursue technical training at the Port Moresby Technical College.

“I challenge you young people to go out there and emulate or even better the achievements of these people. But to get there you must work hard in your studies if you are accepted to study in the various tertiary institutions or at job training.

“You must always aim high. Do not rely on chance or luck, because chances do not always happen,” he told the graduates.

Governor Philemon presented some funding to the school for urgent maintenance to school facilities, especially student dormitories and ablution blocks, which have been condemned by health authorities over health and hygiene concerns, and other urgent work.

The school has been under pressure following the increase in student numbers with the upgrading of status to secondary level last year.

Governor Philemon issued the same challenge to the Gr 10 and Gr 12 graduates at Hagita a day earlier, and gave a commitment to give some funding assistance to the school.

Minister for Higher Education and Science and Technology David Arore was the guest speaker at the Hagita graduation. National Planning Minister and Alotau MP Charles Abel also attended and presented K110,000 to the school to fund maintenance of school facilities.