Salvos secondary school push
The Salvation Army, celebrated a historic season in its more than half-a-century educational journey in the National Capital District, with the ground-breaking ceremony for a proposed three-storey Grades 11 and 12 classroom plus a church building, at the renamed Salvation Army Academy Boroko campus, on Friday 08th May 2026.
This project stems from the church organization’s vision, to restore its high school that was closed in 2018.
To make this dream become a reality, the outgoing Salvation Army’s Director for Schools Academies, husband and wife team, Majors Hector and Melba Crisostomo, spearheaded plans to transform the church organization’s Primary Schools in Lae and Port Moresby, to Academies, hence paving the way for entry into Secondary level of education.
As Salvation Army officer, Colonel Chris Goa put it, in his message during the project’s dedication service, it was not an easy task, quoting two bible scriptures as reference points.
“Psalms 127: 1, this word reminds us that while people may build through their hands, true success and lasting impact comes from God. Gal 6;9 encourages us, Let us not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.”
“And as we look at the journey of this school from the child care centre in 1970 to the elementary school, the primary school and now the continuing restoration of the secondary school, we are reminded that this vision has been built through faith, sacrifice, perseverance and prayer.”
Whilst highlighting challenges faced along the way and seasons when progress seemed delayed, Colonel Goa drew attention to the perfect timing of God who remained faithful all throughout.
“ This ground breaking ceremony is evident that God is still opening doors and leading us forward.”
Salvation Army Academy Boroko Campus Principal, Mrs Deborah David Iamo
also played a vital role, mostly behind-the-scenes, to progress the secondary school restoration vision.
She joined the church-run school in 2016, after a 23-year teaching stint in the government system schools. Within a decade in the Salvation Army Academy Boroko Campus, Mrs. Iamo moved up from a classroom teacher, to section head in Upper Primary to Deputy Curriculum.
At this higher position, Mrs. Iamo assisted then Principal Mary Kalits, to prepare necessary documents for presentation to the Education department, to get its nod for the school’s elevation to secondary status. While the school welcomed its first Grade 9 intakes in 2024, she continued this tedious task in 2025, when promoted to replace Kalits as Principal. Mrs Iamo recalls, the process being a long and complicated one, because of the past history of the defunct former high school, raising eyebrows in the education department.
Despite this setback, the department finally awarded the Salvation Army Academy Boroko campus, its certificate and full registration on February 12, this year.
This culminated in Friday’s ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed Grade 11 and 12 three-storey classroom and church building, much to Mrs. Iamo’s delight.
Funding for this project, [figures not mentioned], was provided by Salvation Army International School’s development fund plus, Dr. Raymond Smarts’ Legacy. Construction work is expected to start this year.