SDP Story
Balimo Teachers College First Diploma Graduation
Barnd Bariga, the 2025 dux and SRC President, speaks on behalf of his classmates at the first graduation for a Diploma in Primary Education Teaching.
First graduands of Diploma in Primary Teaching from Balimo Teachers College sharing a celebratory moment.
Over 30 students have graduated with a Diploma in Primary Education Teaching at the SDP-funded Balimo Teachers College—the first ever tertiary graduation in Western Province. These new teachers will continue to degree-level study, addressing the region’s critical teacher shortage. This milestone reflects SDP’s strong commitment to improving education under its Gutpela Community Strategy 2025–2030.
The Balimo Teachers College in Delta Fly District, Western Province, marked a major milestone this March with its first-ever Diploma graduation ceremony. Over 30 students proudly received their Diplomas in Primary Education Teaching, making them the first cohort of qualified teachers to graduate from the college since its establishment by PNG Sustainable Development Program (SDP) in 2022.
The graduation ceremony was a heartfelt celebration attended by families, local communities, and officials from the Western Province Department of Education. These graduates will continue their journey towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education, supported through SDP’s “Second Chance” Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) program.
SDP Chief Executive Officer, Lesieli Taviri, addressed the graduates and guests, calling the event the “first fruits” of SDP’s vision to tackle the teacher shortage crisis in Western Province. “We saw a great need for more teachers and that is why Balimo Teachers College was established—to train more teachers from Western Province who will go back into the community and transform the lives of children through quality education,” she said.
The Balimo Teachers College was officially accredited in 2024 and currently offers Pre-service Diploma and Bachelor programs in Primary Teaching. It also partners with the Kokoda Track Foundation and has affiliations with Western Sydney University and Divine Word University to ensure quality curriculum and teaching standards.
In addition to the teachers college, the newly established Balimo School of Nursing welcomed its first student intake in January 2025. Both institutions are fully operated and funded by SDP at a combined annual cost of K8 million.
These initiatives are part of SDP’s Gutpela Community Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to anchor long-term investments in education and healthcare in Western Province, in collaboration with the local government and development partners.
This historic graduation marks the beginning of a promising future for education in Western Province.