PNG Butuka Academy: An educational gift from China

Butuka Academy [Photo: China Plus/ Chi Huiguang]

Ahead of Xi Jinping's arrival later this week in Papua New Guinea, finishing touches are taking place on the construction of a Chinese-built school in the capital, Port Moresby.

CRI's Chi Huiguang has more.

Crews with the China Construction Steel Structure Corporation are finalizing the construction of the Butuka Academy.

Butuka Academy overview [Photo: China Plus/ Lin Xin]

The school has been built as part of a sister-city partnership between Port Moresby and the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

Set to play host to students ranging from pre-school to grade 12, the school has been equipped with advanced facilities, including science and computer labs, as well as music and creative art classrooms. 

Sam Lora, Chairman of the Butuka Academy [Photo: China Plus/ Lin Xin]

Sam Lora is the chair of the Butuka Academy.

"We have what is called 1-6-6, you know, one year of preschool then six years of primary and six years of secondary. The redevelopment project with the Chinese government, a gift to Papua New Guinea is definitely a big gift that I think that word cannot really describe. The value in the long run benefit you do have to the Papua New Guineans, especially the local indigenous people here."

The inauguration of the Butuka Academy is to coincide with this year's APEC summit. 

Justin Tkatchenko, APEC Minister of Papua New Guinea, visits Butuka Academy [Photo: China Plus/ Lin Xin]

Justin Tkatchenko, Papua New Guinea's Minister in charge of this year's event, says the academy is going to help expand educational opportunities in Port Moresby.

"The school will serve to educate over 3 and a half thousand Papua New Guineans every year. Also, it will also teach Mandarin for the first time (in PNG) to the secondary and primary children as well. And give them another level of education."

Old classroom and new one of Butuka school [Photo: China Plus/ Chi Huiguang]

China Construction Steel Structure Corporation is the Chinese firm which authorities in Shenzhen contracted to carry out the construction of the Butuka Academy.

Ma Shuai, General Manager of China Construction Steel Structure Corporation PNG [Photo: Lin Xin]

General Manager Ma Shuai says his firm is proud to be involved with the project.

"I think this is a gift that Shenzhen wants to show to Papua New Guinea. This will benefit for really a long, long time. After several years, some of them will be the middle class or even the high class of this country; they will all remember this is a donation from Shenzhen and from China. This is for the culture. So that will influence a lot. Strengthen the relationship between China and Papua New Guinea."

Shirley, teacher of Butuka Academy [Photo: China Plus/ Lin Xin]

And at the grass-roots level, teachers with the Butuka Academy say they're looking forward to moving in to their new facility.

"As an educator I take education as very important. And I think education is the only tool, it shapes and it helps the children to be someone very special in the future. And they can learn how to make a living. Education can change people's living standard and live as well."

Local students are happy to see their new school. [Photo: China Plus/ Lin Xin]

With final installation of equipment all-but complete, officials with the PNG Butuka Academy say they expect to begin enrollment for classes early next year.