Prime Minister James Marape has hailed teachers across Papua New Guinea as the nation’s true builders, acknowledging their tireless service over the past fifty years in shaping the country’s human resource.
Speaking at a fundraising drive for Wardstrip Primary School at APEC Haus in Port Moresby yesterday, Marape said teachers have stood at the heart of nation-building, guiding generations despite limited resources and daily challenges.
Reflecting on his early education at Hoksapmin in Western Province, the Prime Minister said he owes much of his success to the dedication of teachers who worked in remote and difficult conditions.
“Teachers have consistently shaped our human resource in all walks of life. From the time of independence to today, they have played a vital role in the development of this country,” Marape said.
He reminded the audience that Papua New Guinea’s founding father, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, also began his career as a teacher, underscoring the profession’s importance in leadership and nationhood.
“Our teachers, from the most rural outposts to the biggest cities, have sacrificed for decades to ensure that the children of this nation have knowledge, discipline and values. Without them, PNG would not have the leaders, professionals and workers we have today,” Marape said.
He also appealed to students at all levels, from primary to tertiary institutions, to respect the principles instilled by teachers, describing them as the foundation of morality and professionalism in life.
Marape urged teachers to maintain their commitment, stressing that teaching is equivalent to policy-making and national development because “the brains to implement these agendas are trained by teachers.”
The Prime Minister and his family pledged financial support for the construction of a new classroom at Wardstrip Primary School and assured his ongoing support for schools, students and teachers nationwide.