South Bougainville MP supports National Senior Education Officers Conference
The ABG Department of Education has received a K100,000 contribution from the Office of the National Member for South Bougainville and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, to support the hosting of the 35th National Senior Education Officers Conference (SEOC) in Bougainville.
ABG Minister for Education Hon. Thomas Pa'ataku when receiving the cheque acknowledged Hon. Timothy Masiu for his timely and generous support towards the national event.
“I am honoured to be able to get a positive response from the Minister because we made it our business to write to our National Members of Parliament to support this conference as it was a national event,” he said.
Minister Pa'ataku said the conference would bring Provincial Education Advisors and senior education officials from across Papua New Guinea to Bougainville, providing an opportunity for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, through the Department of Education, to showcase Bougainville's values, culture and progress as it advances its preparations for independence.
“Today we are hearing a lot being said about the Bougainville issue and through this national event, I believe in us portraying our values, who we are and this can be another way to tell Papua New Guinea that we are ready for independence – we must host a memorable event in the region,” Minister Pa’ataku added.
Minister Pa’ataku reiterated that education remains one of the fundamental institutions for transforming society and he was thankful to the Member for South Bougainville for his support towards Education initiatives in the region.
“I am thankful to Hon. Timothy Masiu in that we are portraying education as one of our number one priority that can change our society to make it better for our generation tomorrow,’’ he said.
Presenting the cheque on behalf of Minister Masiu, Second Secretary, Mr David Itanu, encouraged the Committee to ensure that the funds given will support the successful delivery of the Conference.
“As we’re preparing for independence and Papua New Guineans are coming into Bougainville, I also want to encourage the grounds committee and Bougainvilleans to ensure that we look after the officers that are coming to Bougainville,” Mr Itanu said, adding that these are people who are going to make comments and decisions on how Bougainville progresses as it prepares for independence.
Mr Itanu added that National Member for South Bougainville is committed to work with ABG to ensure such events are a success and portrays Bougainville’s preparations for independence.
Vice Chairman of the Conference Grounds Committee, Mr Felix Sarimu, also expressed appreciation for the contribution and assured the Member that the funding would be used responsibly to support the successful delivery of the conference.
“I wish to express our gratitude to the Member for South Bougainville for the gesture and support on behalf of the Chairlady for the grounds Committee Ms Mary Remi, and I want to assure you that these funds will be used to cater for the various activities planned for the duration of the conference.
The 35th National Senior Education Officers Conference will be held in Bougainville from the 11th to 18th July, with participants expected to begin arriving this Saturday.
[ Back to News ]
