School Principal Mr. Laka, addressing the school and the invited guests during the launch of the e-library project
Tabubil Secondary School in the Star Mountains of Western Province is the proud recipient of a state-of-the-art e-Library system.
The School Principal Mr. Galama Laka, while thanking the partners for the e-library project said it is a historical moment, as this is the first time for such a system to be installed at the school, and was appreciative of this generous support.
Principal Laka said the project itself has brought the world to the students of Tabubil Secondary and the future students from the feeder schools in Tabubil. “You have brought knowledge, one of the most powerful things in life, right to our fingertips.”
Principal Laka challenged the school body saying this year’s results should reflect the use of the e-Library facility. The project is jointly funded by the Nupmo, and Ok Tedi Mine Village Women and Children’s associations at a cost of K100, 000 and will benefit over 600 students and 40 teachers.
Noni Dukumun, President for Nupmo Women and Children’s Association and Associate Director on the OTDF Board was determined to support the students in the CMCA region because of the burden she as a mother felt raising her own children. “We are mothers and we have felt the pain and struggle as parents. We as association leaders have realized that education is key to improving our lives, so we plan for development projects like this e-library and will make sure more community development projects are delivered,” she said.
OTDF Executive Manager Program Services, Mr. Eric Kuman, during the handover at Tabubil Secondary School on 29 July said, “This particular Digital Library was purchased from the United States.
The system has over 32 million documents spread over 300 categories, consisting of text documents, videos, sketches, images, and details of cross-references and other relevant articles. The overall aim of this e-library project is to create access to digitalized books or e-books and other digitalized documents which students would normally have access to in an everyday library building.
Mr. Kuman reported that Daru Secondary School, St Gabriel’s Technical Secondary School, Kiunga Secondary School, Ningerum High School, Aiambak High School, and Tabubil Secondary School have received this e-Library system, funded by the various Women and Children’s Associations under the CMCA arrangement.
“I am very happy to see the 8 woman associations representing the 158 villages in the CMCA and the 6 mine villages unite for the future of their children and the future of Western Province.” Mr. Kuman said. These mothers believe in education and have noted the challenges faced by schools and believe that establishing this e-Library will change the face of schools in the province. He added that teachers must also make use of these resources to prepare their lessons to teach the students effectively. Mr. Kuman challenged the students to use the opportunity and aim high so that more students from the province can enter tertiary institutions around the country.
This e-library project was installed and commissioned by the OTDF Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team covering 4 secondary and 2 high schools.
