CHURCH’S ROLE IN PAPUA

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30807, 20 July 1965, Page 5

CHURCH’S ROLE IN PAPUA

Educating People For Independence Papua was working towards independence but a lot more needed to be done before it could be achieved, said Mr A. Scarlet, a Presbyterian minister, in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Scarlet is attached to the national church in Papua, New Guinea, the Papua Ekalesia. He and his wife and three daughters are in New Zealand on leave for a few months. Mr Scarlet said the national church was assisting in an immense educational programme being carried out by the Australian administration. The church aimed at educating the Papuans and helping them to realise the importance of independence. However, because of an acute shortage of teachers, only a limited number could have the benefit of schooling. At least 300.000 children were without schools. Mr Scarlet supervises the Papuan pastors who teach in villages. These teachers have had limited education themselves and take classes to standard three level. After this, the children try to get into Government primary schools, and ultimately, into secondary schools. However, only a few manage to get this far.

“Papuans look for leadership to more advanced nations.” said Mr Scarlet. “Such countries as New Zealand have a great deal to offer.” Mr Scarlet and his wife, a former teacher, both attended the Bible Training Institute in Dunedin and were sent to Papua by the Presbyterian Church in 1962. They will return to New Guinea in September.