The Ilimo Elementary school in the Hiri Koiari District of the Central Province held a small but significant celebration recently at the school ground to mark the opening of a brand-new classroom.

The school's Head Teacher Mr. Wilson Eibe stated that the classroom took exactly 3 years to build and was fully funded with students outstanding tuition money after it was properly budgeted for school operations.

“I am extremely proud of this accomplishment, and I thank all who were involved in the decision making and the construction phase.”

“The initial shelter commenced in 2023; however, due to funding constraints the project was delayed until this year”.

The shelter houses two classrooms; however, only one was opened on Friday and the other is still closed as it is not fully complete.

 Ilimo Elementary was established back in year 1998 and located just beside the road along the Sogeri Road at 14- Mile, and since its establishment, the school has not been given any support in terms of classrooms or administration rehabilitations.

Mr. Eibe, who has been the school principal for the last 26 years, stated that the school had only 5 classrooms, 2 prep classrooms, 2 elementary 1 and 1 elementary 2 classroom.

Thus, opening of the new classroom will bring relief to the overpopulation in prep 2 classroom. Currently the student population stands at 293 students.

Mr. Eibe further highlighted that despite being located closer to the Rouna Hydro, the school does not have a power supply or even water supply for children to access clean and safe drinking water.

The school also needs an ablution block, but all this can be achieved if one donor is willing to assist the school. The school is seeking individuals, donor partners to assist the school.

“All our students are sitting on the floor because we don’t have desks, and we also need to complete the other classroom, which is unfinished, but we can only hope for support to come our way.”