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.
