Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, OBE, has welcomed students from St. Johns the Apostle Catholic Primary School at Tokarara in Port Moresby, following their recent courtesy visit to the exhibition booth at the Melanesian Haus.

The visit, which took place from the 13th to the 17th of August 2026, offered students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the nation’s political heritage.

The  exhibition booth established  on  September 16th,  2025, on the  ground  floor  of Melanesian Haus, is an initiative by Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu and facilitated by the National Events Committee of the Prime Minister’s Department. It serves as a repository of Papua New Guinea’s executive history.

Commenting on the importance of the visit, Chief Secretary Pomaleu, said: “It is vital that our young leaders understand the foundations upon which our democracy is built.

By opening the doors of Melanesian Haus to students, we are not just sharing history; we are fostering a deeper appreciation for the governance structures that shape our nation.

I am thrilled to see such engagement from St. Johns the Apostle Catholic Primary School, as this knowledge is essential for the next generation of citizens who will lead Papua New Guinea into the future.”

Deputy Head Teacher, Ms. Magdalene Semar noted that the visit broadens students’ knowledge beyond the standard curriculum.

“The exhibition explains the Government’s structure, roles, and positions specifically those of the Prime Minister and Chief Secretaries of the past and current government,” she said.

Also, she said the visit deepened students’ understanding of the three arms of Government: the Legislative: the law-makers (Parliament), the Executive: the Prime Minister and Cabinet) and the Judicial: the court system (Judiciary).

Ms. Semar expressed pride in St. Johns the Apostle Catholic Primary School for being the first school to attend the exhibition, noting that the prehistoric timeline and the portraits of former Prime Ministers from Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare to the current Prime Minister Hon. James Marape had a profound impact on the students.

“The visit led to a ‘blown up mind’ and broader thinking for our students, moving beyond basic definitions to a newfound understanding of our past and present Government,” she added.