240 students attending Waigani Christian College in Port Moresby are amongst 84,000 Grade 10 students who are sitting for their National Examinations this week.
The exams started on Monday. The students sat their first two examination papers in Mathematics and Personal Development at the college in the National Capital District.
Of the 240 candidates, 150 were male and 90 were female.
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The founding principal Mr. Abakure Kaupa said the college had initially nominated 246 Grade 10 students to sit the examinations.
However, six candidates did not present for the examinations for unknown reasons.
Mr. Kaupa said the first examination session was conducted successfully without disturbance and expressed hope that the remaining papers would continue smoothly through to Friday.
“The first session went well. We didn’t have a problem, and we expect it will be smooth right throughout this week,” Mr. Kaupa said.
Grade 10 students at Waigani Christian College study seven examinable subjects and one enrichment course, making eight subjects in total, with each subject taught by a dedicated teacher.
Mr. Kaupa said the school’s academic and administrative operations had continued normally despite minor power interruptions and the ongoing effects of the prolonged dry season.
“To date the dry season has been prolonged but operations have been normal. Though we are facing interruptions to power supply on a number of occasions, it is not consistent,” he said.
With Teachers’ Day coinciding with the beginning of the National Examinations, Mr. Kaupa also acknowledged teachers across the country and described teaching as a profession based on service and responsibility.
“Teaching is a noble profession,” he said.
“Teachers right around the country who have opted to take up teaching-it’s not the money part of it, not the pay part of it, not whatever material they will get-but it’s a service to humanity.”
Having served nearly 12 years in teaching and administration at Waigani Christian College, Mr. Kaupa said the profession required significant time and commitment to shaping young people.
“As an experienced teacher and an experienced administrator, I have realized that a lot of time and effort is committed to the profession in bettering human beings. Behind every successful person is always a teacher.”
He said teachers played an important role in developing positive role models and encouraged teachers and students preparing for examinations across the country.
“Behind every good role model is a teacher, so teachers right around the world, especially in NCD, I wish them all the best-and all students who are in Grade 10 who are doing exams right around the country now, and Grades 12 and 8 who will be doing their exams in the coming weeks.
“I wish all students in this exam all the best in their exams right around NCD and Papua New Guinea.”