A pioneer community school established in the 1970s has now being elevated to
high school and next year it will have its first grade 11 classes and renamed to Lai
Valley Technical Secondary School.
Lai Valley United Church High School in Mendi, Southern Highlands will admit its first
grade 11 class next year.
This was revealed by the Mendi-Munihu MP, Hon Rapahel Tonpi during the graduation
where 68 grade 10 students graduated on Thursday, 12th, December 2024.
He also announced that the school will be having its first grade 11 class and will be
elevated to Lai Valley Technical secondary school.
The Mendi-Munihu district education Advisor, Mr. Tep Kembo and the Provincial
Examination Coordinator, Mrs. Margret Kiwa also enlighten the same sentiments for
the confirmation and enrolment of the Grade 11 students in 2025.
The institution will coincidently teach and learn both academic and technical
acknowledge and skills. They (students) will attain both academic grade 12
certificates and the trade certificates depending on the courses they study.
Mr Tonpi further stressed that, this is his ambition and dreams to ensure the
institution is elevated to secondary and the first Grade 12s are selected to respective
colleges and universities.
“Therefore, we have dedicated our efforts, time and invested funds to ensure our
children are well educated from best people (teachers) we have on ground this
producing positive results not only for the district but, for the province as well.
He further stated that Lai Valley United Church High School is now elevated into Lai
Valley Technical Secondary School, and it’s officially confirmed, and enrolment will
begin next academic, year, 2025.
“Currently, the Kidron Construction Ltd is building a 6 in 1 building comprising of the
Administration block, Science Lab, classrooms and offices for teachers. And four
new staff houses are under construction and its in progress.
Mr Tonpi added “one of the main hardships faced by the people and students is
access to better road and under his leadership and the Shumbi-Kip Road which is
being built will ease the struggles of my people, staff of the schools and other people
living in the valley”.
The Mendi-Munihu MP also pledged to fund another K500, 000.00 to build other staff
houses.
He is also committed to support other Junior High Schools including in the district
Komb Junior High School, Munhiu Junior High School, Himil-homa Junior School.
“Theses schools will be the feeder school for Lai Valley United Church Technical
Secondary School,” added Mr Tonpi.
