School on global link

Talidig first in the world to establish link

 

By Patrick Matbob

A primary school in Madang has become the first school in the world to go on the Global Education Partnership program.

Fairweather and Sir Arnold establishing the link

Talidig Primary school which is situated about 45 kilometres north of Madang was chosen to participate in the Global Partnership program that is being run by British volunteer organization Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO). The program is aimed at linking schools in Britain and the world.

To participate in the program, the school also became one of the first few local primary schools in the country to be given computers and an internet link with the outside world.

The event was launched two weeks during the school’s graduation day and was witnessed by the Madang province governor, the local Parliament member, government officers and hundreds of parents, teachers and members of the local community.

 School head teacher Peter Igubi was the proudest person on the day.

“I am very, very proud. I’ve never come across such a project in my 34 years of teaching”, he said visibly moved by the development at his school.

VSO volunteer heading the project Roger Colborne said under the program Talidig primary will link with Ludworth primary school in County Durham in England.

Preliminary contact has already begun between the two schools and with the internet installed regular contact will began in the new school year.

Major funding for the establishment of the project came from the electoral development funds of the member for Sumkar Ken Fairweather in whose electorate Talidig primary is situated. Mr Fairweather gave K123, 000 to establish the facilities at Talidig and Tabel primary schools on Karkar island which will become the second school involved in the project.

Eight computers were donated by Rotary Club in Madang for the program while the British High Commission funded a laptop projector, printer and other consumables.

Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet told the parents that his government has made a commitment to provide computers to all the primary schools in Madang. He said this was part of his plan to ensure that all children in the province were able to attend school and to have access to the best learning facilities.

He said at the moment his government’s biggest challenge is to ensure that all school-age children in the province are able to attend school, and that there is enough schools, teachers and resources in the province.

Headmaster Mr Igubi said the establishment of the computer facilities was a good opportunity for teachers and students to learn computing for basic education.

He said all the children in the school will have the opportunity to ‘touch and use’ the computers and will establish e-mail contact with Ludworth children in UK.

ends.