Education will be critical in order to achieve the National Capital District Commission’s long-term vision for Port Moresby, according to City Manager Ravu Frank.
Mr. Frank made the remarks as NCDC formally assumed responsibility for education services in the capital, describing education as the foundation for achieving the city’s wider development goals.
He said the vision was to build a city that was clean, safe, healthy, inclusive, prosperous, productive, and sustainable, but stressed that these goals could not be achieved without a strong education system.
“Education, I believe, is the fundamental pillar to drive all these outcomes that Governor Powes Parkop wants.”
He said the transfer of education functions from the National Department of Education to NCDC therefore represented more than an administrative change, but an opportunity for the city government to give greater attention to the quality and delivery of education.
Mr. Frank said NCDC had already been supporting schools across the city through funding infrastructure and other education-related needs.
He pointed to projects such as Butuka Academy as examples of the level of investment and attention NCDC had given to education under the leadership of the Governor, NCDC Board and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Frank also described the completion of the transfer as the result of strong leadership and cooperation after almost a decade of negotiations and administrative processes.
He acknowledged that the process had taken longer than expected but said the extended period ensured the necessary requirements were properly addressed.
“As the nation's capital, we want to set some benchmarks. We want to set some precedents. We want to set some examples.”
Mr. Frank said NCDC was now committed to ensuring the transfer produces tangible benefits for students, teachers, parents and communities throughout the National Capital District.
He urged all stakeholders to continue working together as NCDC begins its full responsibility for education services.
“This is a tremendous effort towards a brighter future for education in our city.”
