A new classroom and staff housing project is underway in the remote Baina community in Gulf Province as part of efforts to improve access to education within the PNG LNG pipeline corridor.
Located along the Kikori River near the border with Southern Highlands Province, Baina Village is one of the most isolated communities in the project area, accessible only by air and river transport. The village is situated about 97 kilometres from Moro and Mendi, and approximately 78 kilometres from Kikori Station.
Home to more than 4,000 residents across four hamlets in Segment 6 of the PNG LNG project area, Baina has long faced challenges in accessing essential services due to its geographical isolation.
To address those challenges, Gas Resources Pipeline Ltd., in partnership with the Mineral Resources Development Company, or MRDC, is constructing a new double classroom and staff house at Baina Primary School under the Community Investment Trust Fund, or CITF, programme.
Foundation works have already been completed, with the facilities set to include solar power systems and other essential fittings to support both classroom learning and teacher accommodation.
Augustine Mano acknowledged the logistical and financial challenges involved in delivering infrastructure to remote communities such as Baina.
“These are some of the most remote communities in the country, where access is extremely difficult and the cost of delivering services is very high,” Mano said.
“It is not an easy task, but Gas Resources Pipeline Ltd must be commended for its vision in investing in its people — especially in the education of its children, who are the future of these communities.”
According to MRDC, the project is expected to ease classroom overcrowding, improve learning conditions and support teacher retention in a location where attracting educators has traditionally been difficult.
Baina Primary School head teacher Robert Kawi said the school had experienced growing enrolment in recent years despite limited infrastructure.
“When I first arrived, we only had one double classroom for a growing student population,” Kawi said.
“Education here has always been a struggle due to our location and limited facilities. Today, we are seeing real progress. With more classrooms and staff housing, we can take in more students and improve the quality of teaching.”
Student enrolment at the school has grown to nearly 400, while teaching positions have increased from two to six in recent years.
Kawi said the provision of proper staff housing would help address long-standing challenges faced by teachers assigned to remote communities.
“Because of our geographical location, it is very difficult for teachers to travel here and sustain themselves. Proper housing will make a big difference in attracting and keeping teachers in Baina,” he said.
MRDC said the Baina Primary School project forms part of its broader investment in education infrastructure across project-impacted communities through the CITF programme, which supports the delivery of classrooms, staff housing and other essential infrastructure in remote areas.
