Thursday, October 9, 2014

TEACHERS TRAINING WORKSHOP REPORT





Participants posing with their Certificates with MND's  Education Officer, Mrs. Adolphina Luvongit (Left front row), and  MAKATA's project coordinator Mr. Wenceslaus Magun (back second right hand).


MARINE ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION TRAINING FOR TEACHERS IN Madang, Papua New Guinea
 
Report prepared by Adolphina Luvongit and Wenceslaus Magun for MAKATA Incorporated,


September 2014
  
Acknowledgements


We thank The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for its funding support to Mas Kagin Tapani Inc. (MAKATA), which enabled us to conduct the first Marine Environment Education Training for 23 primary and elementary school teachers in Madang, Papua New Guinea (PNG). This workshop would not have eventuated without the partnership agreement between MAKATA and Mahonia Na Dari (MND). We therefore thank MND for its understanding and for accepting our request to run this training.  We extend our gratitude and appreciation to MND’s Education Officer, Mrs Adolphina Luvongit who demonstrated intelligence, experience, knowledge and proficiency in successfully delivering a week-long training to our teachers.


We are also very grateful to Mr. Bruno Tulemanil, the catholic education secretary for the Madang Archdiocese, who welcomed our request and took ownership of this training. We commend his reliable staff, namely Fr. Francis Yass, and Mrs. Leovinna Kalom, who assisted MAKATA’s Community Facilitator, Mr. Simon Warr, in collecting names of teachers for this training and assisted in mobilizing them to attend this workshop.

We also thank the faithful, loyal and hardworking St. Theresa Sisters at Alexishafen for allowing us to run the training at their Conference Centre. We will not forget their generosity and hospitality in looking after us, providing all the necessary support we needed including our daily meals up to a feast at the graduation day.
Last but not the least we take this time to thank the Kananam resource owners for the use of their boats and for allowing us to carry out our research at their mangrove, sea grass, sea weed, and coral reef sites. 
Finally, we thank God for His continued grace and blessings to us all!



Table of Contents
Annex III. Evaluation Samples .................................................................................................... 20
Annex IV. Test Sample……….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….21
Annex V. Certificate Sample…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….22

  

1.     Introduction

Mas Kagin Tapani (MAKATA) Inc. a local Community Based Organisation has been taking a very active role in turtle conservation efforts in Madang Province, PNG. MAKATA has mobilized funds to carry out awareness and basic tagging and monitoring training to the local communities over the last 7 years. MAKATA was established by Mr Wenceslaus Magun and his former board members and volunteers to sustain the Sea Turtle Restoration and Protection (STRP) project. The STRP project in Madang  was initiated by Mr. Magun in mid 2006 whilst working for a US based NGO, called Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) as their Western Pacific Campaigner.
Through this initiative over 200 locals have been trained and equipped with turtle tags and tag applicators.  In 2008, MAKATA helped Karkum village established its Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) using the Conservation Deed (CD) process. MAKATA has also helped Kimadi and Magubem clans launched their protected area using their customary practice in 2013.
In 2014, we extended our work to Mur village, in Rai Coast District, Madang, where we are about to help them complete their Conservation Resource Management Plan.  We have also conducted baseline studies for Yamai, Lalok, Male and Bom-Sagar communities in Rai Coast District. Community leaders from these communities have formally written to MAKATA seeking support to help them establish their resource management plans.  These requests can only be fulfilled if we secure major and long-term funding.
MAKATA’s work has been documented in a report titled: “Madang Sustainable Development Reports: Ridges-to-Reefs Gap and Priority Analysis.”  This Report was launched on 24 February 2014 by TNC, the Madang Provincial Government and other stakeholders.
MAKATA endeavors to work in partnership with relevant institutions and stakeholders whose core business also meets our vision and mission.  MND and the schools in Madang make good partners towards fulfilling this goal.
This particular workshop is the first of its kind for teachers in Madang on marine environment education.  The training requires that a follow-up of the activities to ensure that interest is generated in marine environment education with the teachers in Madang is sustained.
The workshop was organised by the MAKATA Inc. and hosted by the Catholic Education Division in Madang at the St. Theresa’s Sisters Conference  at Alexishafen, Madang. The workshop ran from September 22nd  to 26th  September,  2014.
The target audience of the workshop was teachers from coastal communities within MAKATA’s turtle conservation sites and neighboring communities.  There were 23 participants at this course. For a full list of workshop participants including their names and contact details, refer to participants list on Annex II.

1.1 Aims and objectives

Aim:       To build a grassroots constituency for conservation by raising awareness about the environment.
Objective:           To provide environmental education training to teachers.
(1)    To provide intensive training in teaching environmental studies to teachers.
(2)    To incorporate marine environmental education into the education curriculum to be taught in schools.

1.2 Expected Outcomes

Expected outcomes of the workshop are as listed below.
·         Twenty three (23) teachers to receive training per batch
·         Participants to be certified with a certificate of participation in the training
·         Teacher’s manual developed and printed together with e-copies of the manual and related documents copied for teachers and partner organisations.
·         Participants of the training workshop complete the training and are awarded training certificate.

2.     Course Contents.

The training workshop program is outlined in Annex I.

3.     Workshop outcome.


Participants began arriving on Sunday 21th September 2014. Most of the participants arrived on Monday 22nd September 2014.  Registration was done on Monday, followed by the evaluation exercise and a test. The aim of the test was to assess the knowledge level of the teachers on marine environment education.  The same test was done at the end of the workshop to compare the knowledge level attained by the participants at the end of the workshop to that prior to the workshop.  Those who turned up or called after Monday to register were turned away or refused to be enrolled. 

Day 1. MONDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2014


The workshop was conducted at the St. Theresa Sisters Conference Centre.  The Centre is situated about 15km northwest from Madang town.
Twenty three (23) participants attended this training, three (3) extra from the expected number. Of the total number of participants, seven (7) were females.  Many more teachers from coastal and offshore island schools expressed interest to participate in this training but could not make it due to transportation problems.  Those that expressed interest later than Monday 22nd September were turned down due to insufficient training materials available.

The arrival and registration of teachers commenced on Monday morning, and sessions commenced after lunch.

The workshop began with an opening prayer by Sister Noelyn from the St. Theresa’s Congregation who was also in charge of meals during the entire duration of the workshop. 

MAKATA’s Project Coordinator, Mr. Wenceslaus Magun then welcomed everyone for the training. He gave them a brief big picture of MAKATA after introducing himself.  This was followed by the course facilitator Mrs. Adolphina Luvongit.  The Catholic Education Secretary, Mr. Bruno Tulemanil then officially opened the workshop, encouraging teachers to take this training to heart as it was a golden opportunity that has arrived at their doorstep which cannot be missed.

Following the introductory remarks, participants were asked to introduce themselves before the sessions began.

Session 1: Environment, Conservation and Biological Diversity

After the introductory remarks, participants sat for a short entry test to assess their current knowledge of the marine environment before taking up the course.  They were also asked to fill in a graph indicating where their marine environment knowledge level is at this stage.  This systematic assessment exercise is an indicator to the facilitator and MAKATA to see how much marine information is lacking or is needed to facilitate the training.  


In this Session, the facilitator covered the topics of Environment, Conservation and Biological Diversity. It involved a lot of group discussions and sharing of knowledge and experiences.

In the evening after dinner, Mrs. Adolphina did a power point presentation of MND for the participants to understand MNDs programs in West New Britain. She also showed them MND’s documentary (awareness video).
Marine Environment Education Program (MEEP) is an education and awareness program pioneered and developed by the Mahonia Na Dari Research Institution, a Papua New Guinean National Non –Government Organization.
Mahonia Na Dari Institute is based in the Nature Center adjacent to the Walindi Plantation Resort about 15 minutes’ drive along the coastal road towards the West coast.  Hence the MEEP since its inception and introduction has been targeting school children from primary and secondary schools in Kimbe and the surroundings. Teachers have also been targeted by the program and quite a number have gone through the program. The program has also extended to other New Guinea islands provinces as funding permitted. Mahonia Na Dari focuses on marine education and awareness as its major program activity.

.
1.2 What is MEEP?

MEEP is basically a marine environment education program with a fully developed curriculum and associated course materials etc. There is a theory side of the MEEP which is taught inside a lecture room setting and a practical side of it which introduces students to the marine world through snorkeling and observation of the various unique marine habitats including mangroves, sea grass and coral reefs. Students also utilized the wet laboratory by bringing specimen to further study with the aid of the microscopes. 

The MEEP covers concepts in basic marine biology, marine ecology, threats, conservation and resource management. The resource materials used are designed in accordance to the syllabus used in the PNG education curriculum.

Kimbe Bay, where Mahonia Na Dari is situated is in a very ideal setting for such program.

MEEP is conducted by Mahonia Na Dari to coastal schools and communities of West New Britain. The program was initiated in 1997, and has expanded to cater for the needs of schools outside of the province.  Intensive MEEP is offered to three (3) secondary/high school students. The participants in the program are particularly interested students who meet requirements (as set out by MEEP). They fill in an application and selection criteria are used to select student.

MEEP is run on Saturdays (so that it doesn’t clash or affect normal school activities) for 9 weeks and it ends with student participants undertaking a marine awareness of what they have learnt to accessible primary schools. The participants are presented with a certificate of participation upon completion of the program.

The program is aimed to instill conservation ethics into the young generation as we believe they can influence future decision making. This program is also tailored to suit the different level of audience. MEEP is also conducted in teachers training to primary school teachers to complement the stand alone subject, “Environmental Studies”.

The assessment at the end of Session 1 indicated that all the participants grasped and understood the presentations.

Day2. TUESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2014


Session 2: Marine Ecosystems: Mangroves, Sea Grass and Coral Reefs

On Tuesday, the facilitator, Mrs. Adolphina covered the topics of Marine Ecosystems connectivity with focus on Mangroves, Sea Grass and Coral Reefs. The participants were grouped into four (4) groups; two (2) groups were tasked to study Mangroves and two (2) groups were tasked to study Sea Grass ecosystems. It began with a trip to the selected sites for teachers to study and describe the biological diversity of the ecosystems.

Mr. Magun assisted in driving these respective groups to the mangrove and sea grass sites for their field trip research exercise.  The groups were accompanied by Mrs. Adolphina who supervised the different groups on different intervals at their respective sites.

The groups that undertook research on Mangroves visited a small hamlet of Kananam village, called Tawei.  They then split into their groups and undertook the study of mangroves with a local guide by the name of Mr. David Bai.  They were then given a lift to the back of St. Michael’s Primary School in Alexishafen with the supervision of St Michael’s Primary School Head Master, Mr. Francis Arigini to identify more mangrove species.

The two groups involved in the Sea Grass ecosystems, were driven up to the Holy Spirit Congregation Sister’s Convent beach front area to do their research.  After seeking permission from the Sister in Charge, the group split into two groups and carried out their exercise.

After the field trip, each group presented their findings to the rest of the participants.  They brought back samples of the different mangroves, algae, and sea grass species found in the different ecosystems they visited and explained to their peers what they had discovered.
 
After lunch break, Mrs. Adolphina took a session on Coral Biology with the participants. Interestingly, a lot of teachers did not know much about coral reefs.  They thought a coral was a plant and not an animal. “These made our session more interesting as they were so eager to learn and understand more about corals and reef,” stressed Mrs. Adolphina.  Mrs Adolphina gave a detailed power point presentation on corals and reef ecosystems.  She further showed them samples of corals and reefs.

This was complemented by a documentary video titled, “BBC South Pacific Fragile Paradise” shown to the participants. This documentary was very relevant and complemented today’s session.

Day 3. WEDNESDAY 24TH  SEPTEMBER, 2014


Session 3: Marine Animals, Vertebrates and Invertebrates

On Wednesday, Mrs. Adolphina took the participants on the topics of Marine Animals, and Vertebrates in the morning and Invertebrates in the afternoon.

The participants were again divided into groups to conduct research on Marine Animals, Vertebrates and Invertebrates.  Mrs. Adolphina ensured that a lot of time was given to the participants to do their research and present in detail their findings to their peers.  

This exercise was aimed at developing the teachers’ skills and abilities to do thorough research using the MND’s research materials which Mrs. Adolphina brought with her all the way from West New Britain. 

She pointed out that through this exercise, teachers are empowered to gain skills to do research so they are able to learn more on these topics and be equipped with the knowledge of these animals.  Mrs. Adolphina said, most often teachers take for granted that they know a lot about marine animals, vertebrates and invertebrates without actually understanding them in detail.

The groups then did their presentations to their peers. The participants impressed each other and also Mrs. Adolphina and Mr. Magun on the wealth of information they gathered about the marine animals, vertebrates, and invertebrates.

In the evening after dinner Mrs. Adolphina showed them another video documentary on the “Last Blue Wilderness”. She said the aim of this video is to draw the attention of the teachers to think seriously about the impacts of climate change on islands and coastlines.  It also prepares them to take timely and appropriate measures or steps to deal with the causes and effects of climate change.

Day 4. THURSDAY 25TH   SEPTEMBER, 2014


Session 4: Marine Animals, Vertebrates and Invertebrates (Continuation from Session 3)

On Thursday morning, the participants continued with their presentations.


After lunch the participants got into two (2) boats and travelled to two (2) coral reef sites (Dulau Mal and Nabag Inam) to study the marine life. 


They were able to make good comparisons on the health status and the biological diversity of the two (2) coral reef sites. According to Mrs. Adolphina’s assessment of this field trip exercise, although most of these participants are coastal dwellers, some of them do not spend time in coral reef ecosystems as indicated by their reactions out in the reefs.


On Thursday night after deliberation on the actions to take after the training, these participants anonymously agreed to form an association called, “The Marine & Terrestrial Educators Network of Madang.”

This was one of the best successful outcomes of this training.

Day 5. FRIDAY 26TH    SEPTEMBER, 2014

 
Session 5: Workshop Evaluation and PNG’s Protected Area Policy in light of the Convention on Biological Diversity

On Friday, we began with the evaluation of the program. The participants were issued the same test paper that was given to them on the first day of this workshop, to do it again.  It was aimed at analyzing the knowledge they had on marine environment prior to attending this workshop and their level of knowledge attained after this workshop.

After the evaluation exercise, Mr. Magun the Project Coordinator for MAKATA, did a presentation on: PNG’s Protected Area Policy and how it is linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity and how practitioners implement this policy on the ground. 

This was followed by the presentation of certificates countersigned by MAKATA’s Project Coordinator Mr. Wenceslaus Magun, the Catholic Education Secretary for Madang, Mr. Bruno Tulemanil and the Education Officer for MND Mrs, Adolphina Luvongit.

According to Mrs Adolphina Luvongit, the training was conducted successfully.  She admitted though that this was the largest number of participants she has taught ever since joining MND in 2011. 

“I had more participants than usual. It was a challenge I overcame.   However, I would strongly recommend an assistant in facilitating trainings to large group of participants in the future,” she emphasized.

1.     Workshop evaluation.

 

The Marine Environment Education Program (MEEP) has enriched and boosted the participants about the knowledge of the marine environment. The training empowered them with wealth of knowledge, and practical session about marine organisms they most often overlooked as teachers. It strengthened them to educate and empower the children and the community to appreciate their marine environment.
Results obtained from the tests and related systematic evaluation exercises indicated that, they have personally gained a lot of new knowledge about mangroves, corals, reefs, sea grass, sea weeds, invertebrates, vertebrates, fishes and the general marine ecosystems. The general assessment shows that they have all appreciated the course content and exercises undertaken in this program.
The participants observed that the content of the program is very vital for public awareness to schools and local coastal communities in order to protect, conserve, manage and sustainably use the marine ecosystems.
Some of the participants indicated that the course has challenged them to revisit their out dated management plans and incorporate new concepts acquired from the training.
They also recommended that this is a very vital and important program that must be used to in-service other teachers in other schools in Madang.  They also saw the need for this course to be incorporated in the school curriculum as it has relevance in the primary school’s curriculum on Science, Social Science, Making A Living and Environmental Studies.
The participants strongly recommended that the training should continue annually.  They further suggested that the training should take place in districts/clusters.
They pointed out that the program has both theoretical and practical sessions and therefore it was very interesting to visit the ecosystems in the field and conduct hands on practical sessions.  Other participants suggested that this training should be conducted in two weeks instead of a week. 
Meanwhile, other participants recommended that this training should also be done to other coastal community leaders in their province. Since most of the participants were the head and senior teachers, they suggested it should become part of teacher in-service every year.
The entire training workshop was timely, very informative, and addressed marine ecosystems issues and information gaps that were identified from initial consultations by MAKATA’s team during our ongoing community consultation, monitoring and evaluation exercises in the coastal communities we work with.


2.     Follow-up

There were several activities that needed to be done as identified through the course and closing of the workshop. These are listed below:
(1)    Teachers to incorporate and teach in detail the importance of the marine environment in their schools.
(2)    Incorporate environmental management into their school’s activity plan
(3)    Carry out marine awareness to their immediate local communities
(4)    Establish and incorporate the “The Marine & Terrestrial Educators Network of Madang.” This group was formed by these 23 teachers. This is a successful positive outcome of this workshop.
(5)    Monitoring and Evaluation – MAKATA/MND to visit selected schools in Madang in September 2015 and assess their action plans.

These plans are to be implemented from October 2014 to October 2015.

v  Mobilizing of distribution of awareness materials
o   All workshop participants mentioned the need to have awareness materials with them when they are talking to the community and school children in their communities.  The first point of contact will be Mahonia Na Dari. Request will be made to MND and the South Pacific Regional Environment Program’s  marine officer(s) for posters, brochures, DVDs to be send to MAKATA for distribution to schools in Madang who will in turn make sure that awareness materials mobilized, will be sent to appropriate schools to be distributed during their awareness campaigns.
v  Other stakeholders especially in Australia, the Asia and the Pacific will also be approached to supply materials to schools in Madang.

v  Further Training Workshops on Marine Environment Education
o   The training workshop was the first of its kind in Madang and has generated a lot of interest among different coastal schools in the province. Some participants from remote schools such as Rai Coast, Bogia, and Sumkar Districts could not make it due to transport difficulties.  These teachers have requested that a similar training be conducted for them at the District level in the near future to continue raising awareness along the coastal communities.
o   MAKATA will look into this and develop proposals etc to mobilise funds to continue the training to other communities along the Madang coastal areas.


Annex I. The Training Workshop Program.


1.      LOGISTICS
1.1   Venue: St. Theresa’s Sisters Conference, Alexishafen, Madang.
1.2   Logistics
Wenceslaus Magun
MAKATA
Port Moresby
Ph: 71959665

Wenceslaus Magun is the Project Coordinator for Turtle Program and was responsible for all logistics and coordination.  Wenceslaus put in full time for this training program taking care of all logistics, coordination and support.  He also facilitated the training on Draft Protected Area Policy and how it is linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity and what conservation practitioners do on the ground to implement these policies on 26th of September before the closing and graduation ceremony.

1.3   Participation
·         Selected Primary and Elementary School Headmasters and Senior Teachers of Madang


1.4   Key Personnel / Trainer
Adolphina Luvongit
Education Officer
Mahonia Na Dari, West New Britain
Ph: (675) 73145966
Email: adolph.luvongit@gmail.com

Mrs. Adolphina Luvongit has been involved in marine environment education program with Mahonia Na Dari (MND) since 2011.  She holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from the University of Goroka, in PNG and a Certificate in Pacific NGO Leadership and Management from the Institute of Technology at the University of Wellington, New Zealand.   She has taught in Secondary Schools in West New Britain for the past 11 years prior to joining MND. She has represented her organization in numerous international gatherings including the inaugural World Indigenous People’s Conference in Darwin in 2013, the workshops by South Pacific Regional Environment Program, and the recent Convention on Biological Diversity workshop in Apia Samoa in 2014 as well as the Small Islands Development States Forum also held a week later in Apia, Samoa.
Adolphina’s input into this program will be i) Developing the training program, ii) preparation of course material, iii) running the course itself and iv) writing up the final report.


2.      Training Workshop Goals

The training workshop seeks to enhance the capacity of Madang primary and elementary school teachers in marine environment education. This training is targeted for schools within the Turtle Conservation and Management sites. Its specifically seeks to build a grassroots constituency for conservation by raising awareness about the environment through marine environment education.
The expected outcomes for the training workshop are:
(1)    Twenty three (23) teachers to receive training per batch
(2)    Participants to be certified with a certificate of participation in the training
(3)    Teacher’s manual developed and printed together with e-copies of the manual and related documents and distributed to these 23 teachers and other partner organisations.

3.      Training Workshop Program

Day
Activities
Field Trips/others
Day 1
Monday
22nd/09/14
8:30 am –12:00 noon
Registration & Orientation
LUNCH
1:15pm – 4:00 pm
Ø  Evaluation Statement
Ø  Ppt Presentation (organisation)
Ø  Knowledge Review Test.
(1)   Environment, Conservation Biological Diversity.

  Activity (Group discussion & Presentation)

Day 2
Tuesday
23rd/09/14

Ø  Marine Ecosystems (connectivity)
Ø  8:15 am – 9:30am (Practical)
10:00 am – BREAK
10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Activity (Group discussion & Presentation)


1:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Ø  Coral Reef Ecosystem
Ø  Coral Biology

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Video show – The last blue wilderness


Mangrove/sea grass site
2 groups each site










Video Show
Day 3
Wednesday
24th/09/14
8:30-12:00 noon

Ø  Marine Animals – Vertebrates/Invertebrates
Group Research & presentation.

12:00 -1:00 Lunch 
   
1:15 pm -3:00 pm

8:00 pm – 9:10 pm – Video Show – South Pacific Fragile Paradise









Video Show
Day 4
Thursday
25th/09/14
8:30-4:30pm

Ø  What are some critical issues and threats affecting the Marine Environment in Madang, and how can we help?

Ø  Coral Reef Ecosystem






Coral Reef Ecosystem
Day 5
Friday
26th/09/14


8:15-10:00 am
Ø  Review Test
Ø  Evaluation of Training
PNGS Protected Area Policy/CBD - WM
11:30 am to 12 noon – Presentation of certificates. Closing Ceremony
·         Speeches
·         Awarding of certificates
·         Closing speeches by
a)      Mrs Adolphina  Luvongit
b)      Mr. Wenceslaus Magun
c)       Mr Luag Magu (Deputy Governor for Madang’s Executive Office,
d)      Mr Andrew Mapio, Madang Civil Society Representative in the Madang Provincial Assembly,
e)      Mr Bruno Tulemanil, Catholic Education Secretary
f)       Mother Superior of the St Theresa’s Sisters, Sr Theodora
·         LUNCH /Departure





               
Annex II. Participants List.

Marine Education Training. MND/MAKATA
Participant Attendance List.

22nd to 26th of September 2014
No
Name
Gender
School
Contact
1
Francis Arigini
M
Alexishafen  PNG
71396793
2
Nick Baum
M
St. Mary’s – Urimong
72068272
3
Sixtus Baleng
M
St. Paul’s Ulis P/S
72074655
4
Longmo Dau
M
Ambarina P/S
72913716
5
Benedin Kalom
M
Riwo Elementary

6
Vincent Kabaiyah
M
Bogia Cath P/S
73406490
7
Bucknell Nambionga
M
Bogia Admin Ele
72265757
8
John Agoba
M
Tabele P/S
70176019
9
Charlie Semo
M
Kuminimo P/S
73551058
10
Hillary Bega
M
Meiro P/S
72608377
11
Karen Malagui
F
Munumbo P/S
71093157
12
Janet Sual
F
Malmal P/S
71277626
13
Pia Bilas
F
Ambarina P/S
71541757
14
Jethro Mugau
M
Katom E/S
71765694
15
Muka Tawi Kasu
F
Bongu P/S
72729572
16
Rem Iwangu
M
Watang Yagomi
73619199
17
Simon Ioka
M
Bongu P/S
70583247
18
Francis Nanuna
M
Rempi P/S
72078862
19
Alfred Mula
M
Wararuk Utu P/S
70655501
20
Carolyn Mai
F
Bugajim P/S
73147607
21
Boang Raphael Basse
M
Jerome Memorial P/S
72121099
22
Sanatha Mamu
F
Male P/S
71766846
23
Mary Esther Labau
F
Bugajim P/S
73147607

Total of 23 Participants

Note: We cannot upload the rest of the Annexes. However, please go to our facebook link to upload the pdf file. 

 


 



 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Marine Environment Education Program Scoping Study of Schools and Teachers College in Madang



 
Mrs Adolphina Luvongit posing with Madang Teacher’s College trainee students at Ambarina Primary School.

By Adolphina Luvongit for MAKATA (Edited by Job Opu)

Date: August 2013
 
1.  Introduction
Marine Environment Education Program (MEEP) is an education and awareness program pioneered and developed by the Mahonia Na Dari Research Institution, a Papua New Guinean National Non –Government Organization.
Mahonia Na Dari Institute is based in the Nature Center adjacent to the Walindi Plantation Resort about 15 minutes’ drive along the coastal road towards the West coast.  Hence the MEEP since its inception and introduction has been targeting school children from primary and secondary schools in Kimbe and the surroundings. Teachers have also been targeted by the program and quite a number have gone through the program. The program has also extended to other New Guinea islands provinces as funding permitted Mahonia Na Dari focuses on marine education and awareness as its major program activity.

.
1.2 What is MEEP?
MEEP is basically a marine environment education program with a fully developed curriculum and associated course materials etc. There is a theory side of the MEEP which is taught inside a lecture room setting and a practical side of it which introduces students to the marine world through snorkeling and observation of the various unique marine habitats including mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs. Students also utilized the wet laboratory by bringing specimen to further study with the aid of the microscopes. 

The MEEP covers concepts in basic marine biology, marine ecology, threats, conservation and resource management. The resource materials used are designed in accordance to the syllabus used in the PNG education curriculum.

Kimbe Bay where Mahonia Na Dari is situated is a very ideal setting for such program.

MEEP is conducted by Mahonia Na Dari to coastal schools and communities of West New Britain. The program was initiated in 1997, and has expanded to cater for the needs of schools outside of the province.  Intensive MEEP is offered to three (3) secondary/high school students. The participants in the program are particularly interested students who meet requirements (as set out by MEEP). They fill in an application and selection criteria are used to select student.

MEEP is run on Saturdays (so that it doesn’t clash or affect normal school activities) for 9 weeks and it ends with student participants undertaking a marine awareness of what they have learnt to accessible primary schools. The participants are presented with a certificate of participation upon completion of the program.

The program is aimed to instill conservation ethics into the young generation as we believe they can influence future decision making. This program is also tailored to suit the different level of audience. MEEP is also conducted in teachers training to primary school teachers to complement the stand alone subject, “Environmental Studies”.


2.  Aims and Objectives of the Scoping Study
A short study was undertaken with the following objectives:
·         Identify needs of school in Madang in marine environment education.
·         If the MEEP was relevant and applicable to the Coastal schools of Madang
·         How MAKATA and Mahonia Na Dari could partner and carry out the MEEP to Madang schools and teachers colleges.
·         A possible costs and budget to carry out such program.

3.  Methodologies
Two basic methods were used is this study.
The first method involved a consultation process with various stakeholders in Madang were consulted to get the feel of the MEEP and its applicability in Madang Schools. Random groups were selected and consulted with. This formed part of the assessment.
The second method was a more detailed method involving the use of questionnaires on an evaluation form, with more direct questions to be answered by individuals.  Students were taken through a MEEP and given an evaluation form to fill in. Refer appendix  for sample questionnaires. The results were then collated and analyzed.


4. Outcomes of the survey
The study was to see how MAKATA could partner with Mahonia Na Dari with its’ Marine Environmental Education Program and run the MEEP with coastal schools and communities of Madang. A mini – research was conducted to identify the needs of schools and island communities of Madang in relation to their livelihood and the marine resource management now and in the future.
A scoping study was conducted in Madang in conjunction with Marine Environment Education training to the third year students of the Madang Teachers College. Mahonia Na Dari specializes in the education and awareness of the marine environment. Madang Teachers College is the only institution in the country that has signed an MOU with the Organization for the annual training of the final year students (formally the second year students).

Whilst in Madang to conduct the training and because timing was very short, a needs analysis survey at the Ambarina Primary school to 12 participating teachers was rapidly undertaken, and several random visits to other schools and communities were also undertaken. .
Based on the survey accompanied by the evaluation form filled in by the third year students, the following observed were noted:
·         Majority stated that the program was very important to them as teachers to be more knowledgeable about the marine environment so they can be able to better teach in schools and carry out awareness in their local communities.
·         They also mention the need for the training to be conducted to the field teachers.
·         During the awareness at Ambarina Primary School, both the field teachers and students were learning at the same time. This was an indication that field teachers lack desired knowledge about the marine environment. (refer to evaluation form on the index page).
·         The field teachers also expressed a need for the Marine Environment Education Program (MEEP) to be accessible to them through trainings, as well as a need for resource materials to effectively teach topics on basic marine biology, ecology etc.
·         A random visit was also made to several communities where couple of leaders within the conservation areas, expressed a need for such program to reach their schools and communities.
·         At least engaging an outsider to do awareness is better to create an impact in people’s attitudes, as using community leaders most often has not been enticing to the community.
·         As part of the training in marine conservation, reference was made to marine conservation in the locality. Very little was known about the only leatherback turtle conservation area in Papua New Guinea, using conservation deeds.


5. Recommendation
Mas Kagin Tapani (MAKATA), a local leatherback turtle conservation group in Madang can adopt the Marine Environment Education Program (MEEP) from Mahonia Na Dari to engage with schools and communities for the education and awareness program.
For MAKATA to take this program on board, these are some of the factors it must consider:
Ø  A learning resource center such as the conference room, the library and the office space,
Ø  Research facilities such as a laboratory, storage space, boat & engine
Ø  The administration and the project officers,
Ø  The logistics – vehicle & driver
Ø  Accommodation.


Hence it is strongly recommended that:
1.    MAKATA’s  Board secure sufficient funding to conduct full time MEEP, or
2.    In the interim, MAKATA can sign an MOU with Mahonia Na Dari (MND) to cater for the program in the schools and communities in Madang. MAKATA can secure funding to engage the MND program officer to conduct the MEEP to schools and communities in the project sites as well as other coastal and island schools and communities.


6. Costings for MEEP
The MEEP costings can be provided for schools in Madang should the MAKATA Board require it.

Community profile study for Male, Bom-Sagar and Lalok villages in Astrolabe Bay, Rai Coast District, Madang province, PNG.


Photo:  Male and Lalok women fishing at the beach between Male and Lalok villages.  Photo: MAKATA's field officers.

What is the issue? Why save turtles?
Please see the article in The National newspaper (Friday 22, March 2013 (www.thenational.com.pg).  After a leatherback turtle was killed for protein at the border of Male and Lalok villages, some villagers called for turtle conservation awareness to help change their habitual practice of killing and harvesting turtle eggs for protein to protecting and restoring turtle population. This baseline study is in response to this appeal.

Time engaged: Thursday 13th-Tuesday 25th March 2014.
Field Officers: Adolf Lilai, Simon Warr and Howard Sindana
Note: This is a follow-up report of an earlier report we posted on the baseline study for these communities.

By Howard Sindana

Background

This report focuses on the communities of Bom-Sagar, Lalok and Male, in Rai Coast District, Madang, where MAKATA a not-for- profit NGO intends to extend its work to on Leatherback turtle conservation.
MAKATA’s current project sites are located in Karkum, Sarang, Kimadi and Magubem in north coast, Sumkar District Madang.
Like the north coast villagers, leatherback turtle is food to the local people within the three communities of Bom-Sagar, Lalok and Male since their ancestors first settled. The current generation also say it is their source of food. They say leatherback turtle has no relevance and significance to their commercial benefits. Most people in these three communities ponder on how they could get their socio-economic benefits from the Chinese owned Ramu Nickel Mine.
They admitted that they also depend entirely on their land and marine life for food, money and other forms of sustenance.
Bom Sagar, Lalok and Male are villages within the Austrolabe Bay Local Level Government of Rai Coast District in Madang Province.
The study was conducted in Male, Lalok and Bom Sagar Villages. This second visit follows the first community entry visit done in February 2014 by Simon Warr, and Adolf Lilai (Please refer to First Field Trip Report for details).
In this second trip, our team is tasked to work with the resource owners to get their consent to engage with them in delivering outcomes for the turtle conservation project.  In order for that to happen the team seeks to meet the criteria’s of ‘Prior Informed Consent’ by ensuring that the communities are aware of what MAKATA plans to do and that they consent to work with MAKATA to to save the remaining population of the critically endangered leatherback turtles in ways that can also meet their socio-economic needs.
This community profile seeks to also fulfil expectations of all levels of governance including the community, provincial, regional and national level.
We are conscious of our role as partners in development to meet or fulfil the International Union for Conservation Networks (IUCN) call to save the critically endangered leatherback turtle as our primary target.  Our key audience are the local communities who share the beaches these turtles come to nest.
 In doing so we also bear in mind that we contribute towards fulfilling some goals in our Constitution, Vision 2050, the Millennium Development Goals, Madang Kalibobo Vision, Medium Term Development Strategy, Coral Triangle Initiative Goals, and related policies and treaties that PNG is a signatory to in order to manage and sustainably use our marine and terrestrial environment.

Abbreviations

The following are abbreviations used by the community members during field work. Some of these include organisations which they are part of the level of developmental influence.
EBC        Evangelical Brotherhood Church
LLG     Local Level Government
MCC      Metrical Chinese Company
WWF   World Wildlife Fund
JANT    Japanese Niugini Timber Ltd.
NGO      Non-Government Organization
SSEC      Southseas Evangelical Church

Introduction

Our team was tasked to do boundary survey, complete tasks that were not completed in the first community entry process, do awareness and get the clans agree to establish their locally managed marine conservation areas as an holistic approach to saving the critically endangered leatherback turtles.
We were conscious to   gain and maintain trust between each other and the community whilst gathering useful information about the community.
We were tasked to get their clan and community leaders to write a letter to MAKATA inviting MAKATA to work with them to achieve this outcome if they consent to this project.
We were also tasked to capture these activities, folklores and other relevant stories on video and still photos.
One particular story we were tasked to document is the folklore on how Bollon Seng of Male village and his clan originated from the turtle and in the event, Bollon Seng was not available, we were to identify and film someone else in his clan on his behalf.
 This was going to be the conservation process but this did not work out as planned.
Due to circumstances beyond our control we stuck to collecting details of community profile and on how the villagers live and earn their living.
The information collected in the two communities we visited, were from the formal and informal meetings with the leaders and members of the communities by listening and questioning them through story telling.

What we did

This report shows information gathered on specific members of the communities such as elders including elderly men and women, councillors and young adults who are more concerned about the advantages and disadvantages of the model of development which they are not sure of and have no control over in regards to the impacts of development.
It also shows how important their land and sea resources are to them and how they are connected to their natural resources as depicted in their traditional stories.

Acknowledgement

We thank all the villagers of Male, Lalok and Bom-Sagar, particularly those members of the community who helped us perform our interviews and also to those who showed interest in welcoming us to conduct our survey.
This profile is dedicated to the communities along Astrolabe Bay.  All information collected from this survey will be shared with the local communities for their own use in their development aspirations amidst the backdrop of the giant Ramu Nickle Mine operating nearby.
We thank the funder (s) who supported us to do the work along the coastline of Rai Coast in Madang.

Male Village

Male village is about two hours by speed boat or is about one hour by road. It is situated south-east of Madang town in the Rai Coast District of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea.  
There are three rivers without bridges to cross to get to Male, thus making situation difficult for people to move in and out of the village by road during wet season to sell their garden produced at the town market.
The people living in Male today have migrated from the inland down to the coast for better schools, health and administrative purposes during the colonial days. Two clans-Milelga and Lumugubi were the original landowners of Male. Due to cultural tolerance to allow  inland people who have similar dialects and have inter-marriage over the years, the other four major clans were allowed to settle and have access to customary land of their own.

Male Village:
Ward: 6  Male, Rerehu & Buram
Cencius Unit: Bugazim
Local Level Government: Astrolabe Bay
District: Rai Coast
Ward Councillor: Hanz Kurab (Skurab)
Ward Recorder: John Suali
Population: 1243
Male is a village with seven clans which is in Ward Six of Astrolabe Bay Local Level Government in Rai Coast District of Madang Province. The seven clans are:
(a) Milelga-Clan leader Bolon Seng with 356 clan members
(b) Zisimsur- with 34 clan members
(c) Guwong-Clan leader Kakru Mamba with 64 clan members
(d) Jimjam-Clan leader Kasom Bid, clan has 389 members
(e) Jumbukung has 92 members of the clan
(f) Yabang with 216 members; and
(g) Lumbukbi - Clan leader Gabura Mamani has 83 clan population figure.

Language: Wenge dialect. Gambaganga dialect

Established CBOs: Buged Theatre Group

Youth Group: Not registered     

Women’s Group: Warie women group

Church Group: Lutheran, Four Square, Catholic and New Apostolate –There is conflict between denominations. There are three church buildings
Church elders: Douglas Maror-Catholic, Wendy Kouring - Four Square rep, and New Apostolate -  Lalek Kalel

Hamlets: 1. Male 2. Nabu 3. Bor 4. Sinangim 5. Bangau
Main Food Crop: Taro, Banana and Yam
Main Cash Crop: Cocoa, betelnut and copra
Other source of income: Fish, garden produced
Government Services:
-Health-aid post: Lalok aid post and Ileg Health Centre.
Education: Male elemetry, Rerehu elementary, Jilim elementary and Male Primary
Nearest Govt station: Ileg
Access to town: sea/road K20 boat and K7 on pmv truck
Nearest Airport: Madang
Literacy Rate: Low and the problem with school fee and not everyone continue to go for further studies.
Building types: Permanent, semi- permanent and Bush material housing
Migrants in: 6 people                     Migrants out: 100 people

Turtle nesting beaches:
-Lumugubi- Girsilang to Tambogo beach
-Milelga-  Gasilage to Dien beach

Turtle species: Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill

Nesting season:
- March to April
-Yam planting season
-Balbal tree flowers signals nesting season

Issues of concern:
-No proper drinking water
-School fee problem
-Elementary needs funding from local MP-James Gau
-James Gau lost contact with people.
-Bolon Seng wants WWF to stay out from Turtle Conservation which he needs to talk with LLG Member regarding the subject matter.

Contact People:
1.       Bolon Seng former LLG member.  Call : 71787678
2.       Steven Siang former Village Recorder. Call: 71346634
3.       Tatai Headmaster Male Primary Sch. Call: 73658103
4.       Wel Warek
5.       Nano Boti
6.       SANGIS Yangim.


Village: Bom-Sagar 28/2/2014
Census unit: Bugazim                                     Ward: 10              Local Level Government: Astrolabe Bay
District: Rai Coast                                             Ward Councillor: Maxnal Paima
Ward Recorder: Tom Lambert                    Population: 1863
Language: Anjam
Established Groups: Bom Farming Management Group
Youth Group:  Sagar youth and Bosa youth
Church Group: Sagar Mama group.
Church Denomination: Lutheran, Catholic, EBC Evangelical Brotherhood Church, SSEC South Sea Evangelical Church, AOG Assembly of God and Foursquare Church.

Leaders: Andrew Mapui, Abel Loks, Dawa Keky, Jonnah Mado, Michael Gamog, Tonny Bousi.

The Church buildings are semi-permanent and bush material.

Clans and Clan leaders
·         Bom clan
1.       Bali-Powa Painia
2.       Gasimsau- Steven Kodo
3.       Bibilau Jam- Jerry Gaiyam
4.       Karek- Jack Abai
5.       Bom Damui- Kuya Lawai

·         Sagar Clan
1.       Sibinak- Krambang Akum
2.       Paramata- Tonny Young
3.       Rigig- Kalau Gitang
4.       Sau- Benny Molok

Main food crops: Yam, taro and banana

Main cash crops: cocoa

Other source of income: Garden food crop, fish, betelnut and home grown rice.

Community services:
Education government agency: Bugajim Primary school.
Health: Aid Post EBC agency

Elementry: N0-4 Elementry-Government agency & Bom elementary-Government agency.
Nearest Government station: Ileg
Health centre: Tire
Access to town: Road K5 for normal passenger and K7 for market women

Literacy rate: Low caused not identified
Migrants in:   Male 9 female 4 total 13.
Migrants out: Male 5 female 9 total 14.

Government officers: Benny Lumak - Elementry Coordinator, Rai Coast, Kingsley Botty - Police Officer (CID), Waloka - Electrican PNG Power-Yonki.
Company: Benny Painia-Inter oil Branch Manager.

Turtle type found in Bom Sagar: Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green.
Nesting Beach: Jileb, Bararua, Kubal, Jajasnai, Sinai, Labia, Mangya, Yowor, Tiliyaii, Kundum

Community Concerns/Issues.
1.       Ramu Nickel Mine Pipeline has caused blockage to the natural flow of the river causing the river flooding into new land area washing away gardens and land area.
2.       Community corporation is breaking down as individuals are so confined to personal business
3.       Poor road condition with no bridge for farmers to take their garden produce and cocoa into town.
4.       Cultural activities and values breaking down due to too many denominations in one community.

Person interviewed:
-Maxwell Painia                Ward 10 LLG Member
-Gaibo Kinda                      Sobinak clan
-Sakol

Contact person:
-Maxwell Painia                Ph: 72565255
-Sakol Kubou                     Ph: 70551558


Village: Lalok                                     Ward: 7                                                Date: 27th February 2014
Cencus unit: Bugajim
Local Level Government: Astrolabe Bay  District: Rai Coast
Ward Councillor: John Wiridge
Ward Recorder: Danny Birag
Major Clans: 1. Duwai 2. Wambuk 3. Yawar 4. Yanga 5. Lumbuyakeng 6. Lalok 7. Lumbukbi
Population: 1870
Language: Anzam
Established CBOs: Buged Theatre Group involved in awareness programs
Youth group: Anzam youth
Womens group: Anzam womens group
Church Denominations: Lutheran
Number of Church buildings: Youlu, Anzam, Shoel
Church elders: Evang Yomba, Piezi, Ambel.

Hamlets: (10) 1 Sangar (6) 5, 4, Yawananam, Wandoryai, Nopa, Nanum (Kunai camp), Rai Aga 1, Rai Aga 2, Sagel, Awong
Building types: Semi permanent and bush material.
Main Food: Yam,banana and taro.
Main cash crop: Copra ,cocoa and vanilla
Other source of income: Peanut, garden produced, trade store and fish.
Government services: Aid Post-World Vision funded
Education: Lalok elementary school-European Union funded, Male Primary and Bugazim Primary schools.
Nearest Govt Station:  Ileg
Access to Town: Boat and road/truck
Cost of transport to town- K7 pmv truck and K25 speedboat
Nearest airport: Madang

Tuttle Nesting site and beach owners:
Bongau beach-Lumbukbi clan,
Sangau beach-Sangau clan
Serwa beach-Wambuk clan

Importance of turtle: Legend, it is major source of protein harvested during the planting and harvesting of yam.

Nesting Species: Leatherback, Green turtle and Hawksbill.
Nesting period: Leatherback- yam season from June to December. Green turtle and Hawksbill-anytime of the year.

Migrants in: 2 in 2011 escape from personal problems
Migrants out: 20  (Provincial Administrator Sandaun province, Principal Lutheran School of Nursing, Administrator Ileg & various government and companies.

Project: Self-help: Health officer’s house
Literacy rate: very low. There is great increase of grade 8 and grade 10. Most of them are self-sponsored to mission run institutions in Madang and PNG. The Ward Development Committee is now ready to work with LLG and other agencies.

Recommendations:

1. MAKATA to  work in Male and Bom-Sagar, and not Lalok because there are issues on land boundaries which still needs to be sorted out in Lalok. Lalok villagers are engaged with WWF through their Buged Theatre Group.   This engagement is affecting the community and dividing local beach owners.

2. MAKATA has to run community empowerment training in Male before conservation process commences.

3. Male community be considered as most significant place to setup conservation as Milelga clan has a living history of Leatherback turtle connected to their current origin.  They are also taking steps to conserve turtles.

3. Male and Bugazim Primary schools be included for awareness and trainings


4. Bom-Sagar youth have high motivation. They have constructed a new resource centre. MAKATA must conduct empowerment training (What kind of empowerment training? Identify their training needs) for them before it continues with conservation work.

5. MAKATA’s involvement as a local NGO will make a great difference when conservation work are well funded and accomplished. Threats to their land, rivers and marine resources by Chinese Nickel pipleline sleeps across their land, rivers, villages.  These threats may be addressed by local people to claim rightful compensation when there is a damage.??Explain.  What threats??

6. MAKATA may engage more teams to do awareness, conservation and training separately in one time in different locations in Rai Coast District if there are sufficient funds available. MAKATA is  not just doing leatherback turtle conservation but is also addressing food security and other biodiversity conservation work.

7. MAKATA to engage the right people in the field patrol.

8. MAKATA needs to continue to capture and document the cultural values of communities. Documenting is necessary for future generation to know.  At present these stories, songs and dances are passed onto younger generations through their parents who learnt those stories, songs, dances and other cultural practises from their ancestors.

9. MAKATA has to prepare in advance for request coming from other communities in Rai Coast where leatherback turtle come to nest.

10. MAKATA needs more funds before it sends out the field officers.