Rational
Developing and nurturing children’s sense of responsibility and willingness to lead and serve others is key to preparing children to becoming productive and considerate citizens in the community.
Every child is an important citizen of the school they attend and the community they live in. As such it is imperative that the schools instill leadership skills that are useful for creating leaders within the schools that are also applicable in the communities.
Schools provide many avenues for children to display their leadership skills both academically and non-academically. One such avenue for students to develop and nurture good leadership skills and a sense of responsibility is through Sport and Physical activity.
While the schools provide avenues for students to acquire and build leadership skills, others outside the school setting must also share the responsibility with teachers to develop the younger generation to become a vibrant force in our nation’s development.
The National Curriculum Statement for PNG clearly stipulates and emphasizes the importance of building good citizens through education. Entrenched in the Goals of the national curriculum is the need to develop students’ moral and ethical values and standards of personal conduct based on personal integrity, respect and consideration for others.
The National Curriculum Principles also promote citizenship, roles, rights and responsibilities in society.
Sport and physical activity can equally play an important role in developing and nurturing leadership skills, moral values and acceptable attitudes in school age children.
Tailored Leadership Camp
The National Sports Institute therefore has developed a program which is tailored towards developing and enhancing leadership skills in school age children.
The camps integrate leadership skills and physical activity and stimulate a display of leadership qualities by students, exposing them to many different opportunities to show case their leadership abilities.
Team building activities are focused around building specific leadership aspects such as decision making, empowerment, critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability. In addition, the activities encourage students to become more engaged, resilient and create an environment for them to understand the differences that exist in each other.
The leadership activities also enhance the six principles of leadership;
- Talk
- Respect
- Acceptance
- Cooperation
- Kindness
- Support
These principles are essential for integral human development and can prepare the student for greater and meaningful participation in the community.
The National Education plan 2005 – 2015, emphasizes the need for schools to instill self – discipline and help in developing positive values and attitudes from an early age.
The Program
The program was piloted in 2017 with students from the Goroka Grammar School. We are conducting School Leadership Camps every year at the Institute with interest from schools within and outside of Goroka Township growing.
