Joining over 120, 000 grade 8 students nationwide from 3, 433 primary schools, the students from the Coronation primary school in the nation’s capital sat their first paper today to kick off the examination week. Unlike the grade 10-12’s exams which ran for a week, the grade 8 national examinations will be on for only 4 days form the 24th-27th of October. [caption id="attachment_28950" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Coronation Primary Head Teacher Mr. Tavera Seka.[/caption] Coronation Primary Head Teacher Mr. Tavera Seka said, they have a total of 425 students sitting for the exams. “The students sat for their written expression paper this morning, tomorrow will be Math, Wednesday will be English and they will complete the week off with the combined subjects on Thursday, said Seka.” Meanwhile, the grade 8 students are the only ones in school this week. [caption id="attachment_28951" align="alignnone" width="906"] Grade 8 students of Coronation Primary School during the exams this morning.[/caption] The rest of the grades from elementary to grade 7 have been given the week off so no to cause any disturbances to the final years sitting for their final examination this week.

PNG Kumuls got off to a good start with skipper Rhyse Martin stamping his leadership mark when he entered the Tongan try line to launch the first World Cup try for his side in their first match against Mate Ma’a Tonga this morning at St Helen’s Wicked Stadium. In front of 10, 409 fans, the Kumuls delivered to expectation despite having a few missed opportunities that could have earned them their first win of the series. PNG never gave up the fight in trying to match a fast- paced Tongan outfit to level the scores in the 67th minute, but a final try from the Tongans broke the hearts of the players and fans around the world to close the score board at 24-18. Despite bitter emotions of losing to a fellow Pacific Island nation among players and fans after a controversial call by the match referee that denied winger Roderick Tai's try after several replays from the bunker, the boys gave it their best performance. PNG hooker Edwin Ipape scored the player of the match award despite the heartbreaking outcome of the opening match of Group D. The Kumuls will take on Cook Islands next Wednesday 26th October 2022 at 5:30am, Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

There is a likelihood that HIV/AIDS statistics in the country will soar in the following year. The National Aids Council Secretariat-Acting Director Mr. Tony Lupiwa said despite the lack of available statistics on the new cases of HIV/AIDs after the national general elections, they are expecting to see an increase by 2023. PNG has recorded increases in new cases of the deadly virus in the past election years and this year's election is no exception. “This because the virus takes up to 6 months to start inhabiting the body and begin destroying it. By then, people will be visiting clinics and other testing centres to get tested hence we will start collecting the numbers," said Mr. Lupiwa. The Secretariat reports that behavioral patterns among the general public during elections are unstable due to the unsafe election practices voters are involved in especially around huge gatherings at campaigns, rallies, and other election-related activities. Lupiwa said the secretariat can do as much as they can but with financial limitations, they are working within their budget allocations. He said they were only able to carry out awareness in the Highlands region, Madang & Morobe Province. “We are expecting to see an increase of cases from other provinces by next year, said Mr. Lupiwa.” On average, a total of ten infections are recorded per day along with two deaths per day.

The 3rd EU-PNG Trade & Investment Conference kicked off its two-day conference at the APEC Haus yesterday attracting a good number of SME’s who gathered to showcase and market their products. Caltep Holdings Limited, a family-owned business from the Western Highlands Province showed off their locally made 100% organic “Grow Hariap Fertilizer.” Sales and Distribution Team Leader Judy Tep said, it took her father more than 10 years to come up with the final product which is now locally manufactured and distributed to all Brian Bell Home Center outlets in PNG. “There were a lot of trial & errors and when the Pacific Adventist University’s Farm got us on board to do testing on their farm, it was a success. From then on, we went commercial and are currently distributing our products to all Brian Bell outlets throughout the country”. This is the first locally owned and 100% organic fertilizer produced in the country. Tep said the locally made fertilizer can be used on cash crops, flowers and veggies with no side effects. The fertilizer itself is non-toxic and is not harmful to both plants and humans when used. It is made from known highly nutritive traditional plants found in PNG and culturally used by Papua New Guineans in the past which are now packed into liquid fertilizer form ready for plants to feed on directly. “Plants directly absorb the fertilizer through their leaves and roots for quick action and has a dual action mode which makes the plants grow faster and produces high yields.” The fertilizer also improves the soil health by increasing soil micro-organism activity, and basically puts micro-nutrients back into the soil & increases soil fertility for plants to grow successfully. “This allows continued use of limited land and sustains plant growth and production,” said Tep. As a local SME, they are happy and grateful to Brian Bell for taking them on board and supporting them to distribute their products. They have big plans ahead are looking forward to expand on their product and maybe export someday, but for now, they are taking one-step at a time. “I’d like to thank the European Union for this exposure and providing a venue for us to market our SME’s and hopefully pick up some good contacts here and build on from there,” said Tep.

Though there has been a lot of disruptions throughout this academic year, especially to do with the National General Elections, Butuka Academy is prepared for the national examinations. Butuka Academy- Secondary Principal Jean Ifuda said, Butuka has a total of 573 students who will sit for the national examinations starting next week. “Out of the 573 students, there are 229 Grade 10 students who will kick-start the examination week followed by 175 Grade 12 students and 169 Grade 8 students, said Ifuda.” Even though the students have returned back from their one-week break, they have been given a lot of support materials to do over the holidays and now that they have returned, they’ve had a lot of follow-ups from their subject teachers as well. “Given that, we are very confident that our students are prepared and will do very well.” Meanwhile, Principal for the primary school-Butuka Academy Mr Dennis Iauve wished all their students the very best and to give their 100% best during the exams.

First time PNG Kumuls, Zev John, still cannot believe he is playing for the national team and pledges to do his best in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup when the time comes. John, who plays as a prop forward for the Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Hostplus Cup, is passionate and proud to put on the PNG colors and play alongside some of the big NRL players like Alex Johnston, Justin Olam, and Xavier Coats. “I can’t explain it, I’m so excited to be here with the boys. I was the biggest fan for Justin Olam and Nixon Putt back in the days, so playing alongside them means a lot.” He added that being part of the 2022 World Cup team is just unbelievable for him. John said he will give his 100% effort when playing for the Kumuls especially playing with some of the senior players that will be brining so much to the table. “Throughout this training, Justin has been a great input, especially to us younger boys. He is a great role model and training with him means a lot to me, said John.” The Kumuls team will depart for UK this afternoon around 3:30pm at the Jackson’s International Airport for the Rugby League World Cup where they go head-to-head with Tonga on the 18th October.

As schools across the country go into preparations for the national examinations next week, Butuka Academy took the time out to celebrate "World Teachers Day". Butuka Academy Principal Mr Dennis Iauve said, the students took the initiative with a little help from the teachers to have this celebration. The students presented gifts to each of their class teachers and a couple of dance performances. "World Teachers' Day provides us with the opportunity to thank every teacher or instructor that has contributed to our student’s life through education and we acknowledge that," said Mr Iauve. “Teachers are millionaires because whatever we teach around here the end products which are the students are millionaires as well and we are very happy to be the ones teaching teaching them, said Iauve.” Mr Iauve said, they have a total of twenty-eight teachers and are very proud of the efforts the teachers at Butuka Academy have put in to educate our future generation.

 The University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy’s HRM students received a kind donation of K10, 000 that will go towards their Human Resource Management (HRM) Day which will be celebrated on the 3rd of October. School of Business and Public Policy Head of Division (HOD) Mr. Raymond John said, this will be the first HR Day after an overdue of 2years due to COVID. “Basically the HR Day is where students take part in activities like debates, quiz and a series of panel dissuasions from what they have learnt during their classes," said John. This platform also paves a way forward to help the students build their soft skills especially in management skills, leadership skills and their public speaking through the theme “Graduate Readiness for the Future Work”. Mr. John thanked BSP for their platinum sponsorship for the event and hope to maintain the relationship. BSP Group Manager-Human Resource Hari Rabura said, they are happy to support this program as it paves a pathway for students to upskill their knowledge and understanding of the role which also makes training a lot easier when they graduate and are recruited into graduate programs like BSP’s Graduate Program. “As HR people, we want the students to be ready and well equipped before they leave Uni, "said Rabura. Representing the student body Ms. Thatiana Loreakena-HRM Vice-president thanked BSP for being one of the major sponsors for the event as this will benefit them and build their network with business houses and organizations after they graduate. “Most of the students tend to shy-away and hide in their spaces and events like this, we believe that this gives us the opportunity to open up and learn more before we come into the workforce," said Thatiana. Meanwhile, Dr. Lawrence Sause UPNG Deputy Dean also thanked BSP and for the support they have given to the students. “I think the future will only get better if we put in our resources to good use like upskilling the next generation the better.”

In support toward Port Moresby General Hospital’s first Clinical Nursing Symposium, City Pharmacy Limited has come on board showing their support through a donation of K20, 000. CPL General Manager-Sales & Merchandise Pradeep Panda, said after a meet with the team from POMGEN, they felt that it was a privilege for CPL to come on board and support this good cause. “It’s a wonderful thing that’s why we at CPL have come on board to support this with almost K20, 000 worth of merchandise which includes lanyards, pen, notebooks and other things as well, said Panda.” Panda added that they are also happy to support this cause as it will help equip the nurses to upgrade their knowledge especially with what’s happening across the globe. Speaking on behalf of the hospital was the Symposium Committee-Chair lady Sr. Anita Alu said, they are grateful for CPL's support and they hope to partner with them in upcoming events to enhance our nursing in PNG. "The Symposium will run for three days at the Apec Haus that will see nurses from other provinces join in as well," said Alu.

Clinical operations at the Goroka Provincial Hospital in Eastern Highlands Province had to be scaled down with only a handful of clinical staff turning up for duties yesterday. The poor turn-out of staff was the result of the unfortunate event that unfolded and escalated over the weekend in Goroka town after the recent killing of the late PNG Ports CEO. Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority CEO Dr Joseph Apa said, they have scaled down their operations and only allowed the emergency ward to be open because they were short staffed. “Many of the hospital staff were in fear and did not turn up for work, while some did not turn up because they come from the same Tribe “Benna” as the late PNG Ports CEO," said Dr. Apa. Meanwhile, only 6 people were brought in for treatment after receiving minor injuries from the fight but suddenly left the hospital due to fear. Dr. Apa said, they are hoping that operations in the hospital will be back in full swing by the end of the week after the hospital scaled down its operations while schools and shops were closed on Tuesday. He added that they are hoping to see the newly elected politicians play a greater role as leaders of the province to arrest the current situation.

Through Holiday Inn's "Giving for Good Month” which has seen nearly three-hundred & fifty-thousand acts of kindness across the world, Buk Bilong Pikinini was honored to receive a kind donation worth K5, 000 from the Hotel and its management. According to Buk Bilong Pikinini's Dorothy Koch, with the donation they are looking at purchasing around 30 class sets which are reader books that come in a pack of thirty that will be sent out to the BBP learning centers not only in the city but in the outer provinces as well. She thanked the Hotel and its Management for the worthy support as this will go a long way. "With the on-going problem of overcrowding in one classroom, this learning materials will definitely help the children out were they are all reading and learning at the same time and not missing out on lessons, stated Koch." Holiday Inn's Area General Manager Mr Mauro Leone said that the "Giving for Good Month" is an annual event celebrated and they are happy to support such cause as this will benefit the country by educating the young ones at an early age. He added that they are happy to partner with BbP and hope to see this partnership go a long way. Hotel Manager Rashmi Tulsiani also stated that it’s a great initiative and appreciate the work BbP are doing to educate the children of Papua New Guinea not only in the city but in remote places as well. "I would like to say that as a mother, the biggest wealth I can give my child and the future generation is education, so what you guys are doing and have built since 2007 is absolutely inspiring, because at the end of the day literacy is going to change the world for the better, said Tulsiani. "

Port Moresby General Hospital receives new ablution block for its Maternity wing the first phase of the "Helpim Karim Mama Haus" project headed by 3 of BSP's strategic business units that combined to refurbished the maternity wing at the Port Moresby General Hospital was handed over to the hospital management. According to Natasha Beangke the Project Coordinator, the project came about after a site visit at the hospital where they saw the need for mothers to clean and care for themselves in a safe and clean environment after giving birth. " It was very heart reaching when I saw a ward full of mother's, at least a 100 women only using five toilets and showers as the other ablution block in Ward 11 was closed for over two years," said Beangke. "As a mother witnessing this, it inspired her to recommend this initiative to her management and soon after all stakeholders approved the project and renovations were under way," said Beangke . She added that the first handover of Block A was handed over to the hospital's CEO Dr Paki Molumi while Block B will be handed over after its completion at the end of this month. Speaking on behalf of one of the three combined groups was Chief Operating Officer for Operations & IT Mr. Frank ven der Poll said that through this joint community project they want to ensure that their customers and other stakeholders are being looked after from a community level up. Mr ven der Poll thanked the hospital for giving them the opportunity to come and roll out this project and also made an appeal to the hospital to look after the facilities. "I do appeal to POMGen  management and staff to look after the facilities as it will be extremely beneficial in the long run, said ven der Poll." Meanwhile, Dr Paki Molumi thanked the teams for the job well done as this will be benefit the mothers at the hospital. "We have up to 40-60 admissions per day and with the newly refurbished toilets and showers, mother's will now enjoy a clean and safe place for them care for themselves after giving birth," said Molumi. Dr Molumi also appealed to the hospital staff and mothers who will be using this soon to take care of the facility and thanked the 3 BSP teams for the joint effort to bring this forward.