National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop has praised Marianville Secondary School for its six decades of excellence in educating and empowering young women in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Governor Parkop joined Catholic Church leaders, staff, parents, alumni and students on Saturday May 30th to celebrate the school's 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, marking a significant milestone since its establishment in 1966.
In his keynote address, Governor Parkop described Marianville as more than just a school, saying it has served as a place where generations of young women have been shaped by values of discipline, respect, compassion and faith.
“For six decades, Marianville has grounded girls in strong, positive values. In a world that changes fast, those values are the anchor. Marianville didn’t just prepare students for tests. It prepared them for life,” he said.
Governor Parkop highlighted the school's long-standing academic achievements, noting that Marianville has consistently ranked among Papua New Guinea’s top-performing schools at both Grade 10 and Grade 12 levels.
He attributed its success to the dedication of teachers, the commitment of students, and the strong support of parents and guardians.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Marianville graduates, many of whom have gone on to become nurses, teachers, lawyers, judges, engineers, entrepreneurs, public servants, and community leaders.
“When you educate a girl, you strengthen a family. When you strengthen families, you strengthen Papua New Guinea,” Governor Parkop said.
Reflecting on the school's beginnings, he commended the Catholic Church and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for establishing an all-girls secondary school at a time when educational opportunities for girls were limited. He noted that Marianville was founded during a period when Papua New Guinea had only a handful of senior high schools as the country prepared for independence.
Looking to the future, Governor Parkop challenged the school to continue leading in key areas such as digital literacy, science and technology education, mental health and wellbeing, and leadership development.
“As we celebrate this 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, Marianville Secondary School must set the vision for the next 60 years — to train young women to set goals, develop plans and implement them, not only for their own lives but also to help shape the future of our nation,” he said.
The Governor also stressed the importance of strategic planning and effective implementation to help achieve Papua New Guinea’s long-term development goals, including Vision 2050 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He expressed gratitude to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the Catholic Church, missionaries, principals, teachers, staff, parents and alumni whose contributions have helped build Marianville’s legacy over the past six decades.
To support the school's continued development, Governor Parkop announced a commitment of K200,000 towards the construction of a security boundary fence and an additional K60,000 for other school development projects.
“Marianville remains a beacon for young women and a proud contributor to Papua New Guinea’s future,” Governor Parkop said as he congratulated the school on its 60th anniversary.
