City Sivarai

Back to School Program Unites 1,500 Students to Clean and Revitalize Port Moresby

This week, over 1,500 students from schools across the National Capital District dedicated their school holidays to a transformative mission: cleaning, greening, and revitalizing Port Moresby.

The Back to School Program, a collaborative initiative led by Governor for NCD Hon Powes Parkop, supported by NCDC is dedicated to empowering young people to embrace their role as stewards of their city, fostering civic pride and environmental responsibility ahead of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2025.

Vision: A City Owned by Its Youth

At the heart of this program is a bold vision: to inspire the young people of Port Moresby to take ownership of their city. By engaging directly in cleanup efforts, students are learning to value their environment, tackle challenges like overgrown grass, blocked drains, and littered streets caused by the heavy wet season, and reimagine Port Moresby as a clean, safe, and vibrant capital for generations to come.

Goals: Civic Responsibility and Sustainable Action

This initiative goes beyond beautification. Students are not only clearing rubbish and unblocking critical drainage systems but also planting trees and flowers as part of the City’s One Million Trees Campaign. These efforts align with two key goals:

1. Preparing for PNG’s Golden Jubilee (2025): Port Moresby, as the epicenter of the nation’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, must shine as a welcoming, world-class city for visitors and events.

2. Nurturing Responsible Citizens: By involving youth in hands-on community service, the program instills lifelong habits of civic responsibility, environmental care, and leadership.

Outcomes: A Legacy of Pride and Progress

Over the course of this week, the 1500 students and their parents were involved in:

- Removing waste and debris from streets, markets, and public spaces.

- Planting native trees and flowering plants to enhance green spaces and combat erosion.

- Educating peers and families on sustainable waste management and urban stewardship.

“Our youth are not just the future—they are the changemakers of today. By rolling up their sleeves to clean and green Port Moresby, they’re proving that a cleaner, greener city starts with pride and partnership. Together, we’re building a capital that reflects the resilience and beauty of Papua New Guinea as we approach our historic Golden Jubilee.” said Governor Parkop

Call to Action:

Community members are encouraged to support students by disposing of waste responsibly, volunteering in cleanup efforts, and adopting green spaces. Let’s unite to make Port Moresby a city we are all proud to call home.

This is not the first time the Back to School Program has been initiated in the City. It was initially launched in 2021 but has not been repeated in the subsequent years until 2025 due to the national elections in 2022 and medical emergency Governor Parkop faced in 2022-23. It will continue every year as it also assists students and parents raise funds to meet their education needs for the academic year 2025 and beyond.

Speaking on behalf of the students and their parents Ms Drua O Gigmai a grade 12 student at Port Moresby School of Excellence ( POM NATS) expressed their deepest appreciation to Governor Powes Parkop for the initiative

“I speak today on behalf of all the students participating in the program to express our profound gratitude for your outstanding leadership and generosity in initiating the back to school program.

Your unweaving commitment to the back to school program has brought immense hope and opportunity to countless underprivileged students and those who face financial struggles such as myself in our community.

Through your vision you have ensured that we can afford to pay school fees and our essential stationeries.

This initiative is more than just a program.

It is a beacon of hope not only for the students but for their families and the broader communities.

I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated coordinators and supporting staff who have worked diligently to bring this program to life.

Their contributions has been instrumental in ensuring the program success and making a real difference in the lives of many.

We are very touched by your generosity. You and your teams dedication to empowering our youths is shaping a brighter future for our community and our nation.

Thank you once again for your inspiring leadership and your compassionate efforts . May this program continue to uplift and empower many more lives in the years to come”