From: "jbfox" <jbfox@is.com.fj>
To: <jbfox@is.com.fj>
Subject: 'austraLasia' #409
Date: Monday, 21 August 2000 5:16 PM
PNG PRIME MINISTER VISITS DON BOSCO IN PORT MORESBY
PORT MORESBY: 20th August – Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS) celebrated it’
s 15th anniversary this week end (August 18-20th). PNG’s Prime Minister Sir
Mekere Morauta opened the celebration last August18th. He was accompanied by
the Minister for Education, the MP of Port Moresby South Lady Carol Kidu as
well as the Secretary for Education and Secratary for Home Affairs.
During his address the Prime Minister congratulated DBTS for being the first
technical secondary school in the whole of PNG. He also pointed out that
‘because Don Bosco educates the whole person, not just the technical person
it plays an important role not only in overcoming social problems but also
preventing them. That is why the graduates wear Don Bosco tag with pride.
That is why the community values Don Bosco graduates."
Hon. John Waiko Minister for Education, re-echoing the Prime Minister’s
praises for pioneering technical secondary education in PNG commended the
school for it’s newly revised curriculum patterned after the competency
based technical training scheme on the National Apprenticeship and Trade
Testing Board.
In welcoming the guests the rector, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, stressed that
"after 15 years DBTS is committed more than ever to remain faithful to its
foundational ideal of catering to non-selected students, especially those
who are poorer". He also announced that next year (2001) the school would
offer short-term courses for Grade 6 & 8 leavers.
The Salesians were invited by the Archbishop of Port Moresby to take care of
non-selected boys in the nation's capital. In 1985 DBTS opened its doors to
the first batch of 120 Grade 7 non-selected students. It offers a dual
academic-technical curriculum with a specialisation in Maintenence Fitting
and Machining, Electrical technology and Technical Drawing and Design. This
year it has a student population of 650.
