Beglam Adventist Primary School, a remote school along the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, celebrated the completion of another successful academic year on Monday, 27th November, 2023. The school, which is operated by the Adventist Education, has been facing many challenges such as lack of resources, facilities and teachers, but has managed to provide quality education to its students with the help of the local community, teachers and the Almighty God.
Tucked along the mighty Sepik River, an hour by boat upstream from the nearest district station of Ambunti, is Beglam. The school is one of the many Adventist Education operated schools in Sepik Mission, which covers the east and the west Sepik provinces. Beglam is like most of the remote schools in the country, who are still in their developmental stages and need more commitment and support to grow. “We started with only 1 classroom and one teacher’s house in 2022, and now we have five classrooms and four teacher’s houses, (three are still under construction),” said Ms Hames, the school head teacher. “We are proud of our students, who have shown great enthusiasm and dedication to learning, despite the difficulties they face every day.” Some of the difficulties include paddling for miles to get to school, and teaching resources. The school also has only five teachers, who have to pay for teaching resources using their own money. “Today, we are grateful to the Lord and Sepik Mission, who have successfully pushed our school through to receive government subsidies for next year.
The occasion was an added blessing with the presence of the Education Director of Sepik Mission, Mr. Lancedown Wirise, who traveled all the way from Wewak to witness this wonderful event as part of his school visits. While complimenting them on their achievements, Mr. Wirise stated, “Though I arrived late, I am pleased with the level of patience that I see here, and I commend you all for that.” In conclusion, he urged the community to build more houses for teachers so that he could send in more teachers to the school.
The program ended on a high note with the presentation of gifts to students, teachers and guests who all left with a bright smile of satisfaction, appreciation and gratitude.
