Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ewen McDonald AM has officially opened a new library and Early Childhood Education Centre at Sonoma Adventist College in East New Britain.
High Commissioner McDonald was joined by Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Hon Kinoka Feo, East New Britain Governor Hon Michael Marum, Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring Mr Koney Samuel, leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and members of the Sonoma Adventist College community.
Funded by Australia and supported by more than PGK1 million in co-contribution from Sonoma Adventist College, the PGK13.7 million project provides modern facilities that will support both student learning and practical teacher training.
The new library will improve access to resources, research materials and study spaces for students across the College, while the Early Childhood Education Centre will give early childhood education students hands-on experience in a professional learning environment and expand access to early learning services for local families.
Sonoma Adventist College is one of only two institutions in Papua New Guinea authorised to offer a degree program in early childhood education.
The College typically enrols around 15 students each year in its early childhood education degree program. The Early Childhood Education Centre is expected to accommodate approximately 20 to 30 children annually, improving access to quality early childhood education for families from across East New Britain, including Kokopo. The centre will also support women to continue their studies or participate in the workforce while their children access early learning services.
Minister Feo said investments in education infrastructure are essential to preparing Papua New Guinea’s future workforce.
“These new facilities will strengthen the quality of education and training available at Sonoma Adventist College, particularly for students preparing to become early childhood educators. Investing in their skills is also an investment in the children they will teach and in the future of education in Papua New Guinea”.
Governor Marum welcomed the opening of the new facilities and highlighted the importance of investing in education opportunities in East New Britain.
“We greatly appreciate the Australian Government’s continued partnership and support to East New Britain. Sonoma will create greater opportunities for our young people through education and skills development”, Governor Marum said.
High Commissioner McDonald said the investment would create lasting benefits for both students and the wider community.
“Strong education outcomes depend on well-trained teachers and access to quality learning resources. The new library will give students and staff better access to the resources, research materials and study spaces they need to support learning, while the Early Childhood Education Centre will help Sonoma Adventist College continue to prepare future educators and provide valuable learning opportunities for children and families in the surrounding community”, High Commissioner McDonald explained.
Sonoma Adventist College Principal, Mr Roboam Kakap, explained that the new library and Early Childhood Education Centre are important investments in the quality of education provided at the College.
“Our early childhood education students will now be able to gain practical experience in a professional learning environment here on campus, while the centre will provide a valuable service for children and families in our surrounding communities. The new library will also give students across the College better access to the resources and study spaces they need to succeed,” he said.
