By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Competitions started in various fields of endeavor as the 2007 Education Awareness Week went in stride yesterday with over 3,700 participants joining the opening ceremonies at the PCC track and field, including students, staff and parents.
The number of students totaled 2,974 with the main bulk came from Palau High School with 750, Koror Elementary School with 625 and GB Harris with 507.
Meyuns has 230, Airai (178), Palau Mission Academy (97), SDA Elem (97), Aimeliik (76), Ngarchelong (56), Peleliu (70), Ngaremlengui (54), Ngchesar (50), Ngiwal (49), Melekeok (39), Ngaraard (37), Belau Modekngei School (36), Ngardmau (35), Angaur (28), Ibobang Elem. (23), J.F.K. Elem. in Kayangel (17) and Sonsorol Elem. (11).
Pulo Ana Elementary School in Sonsorol has the leanest delegation with six students, one staff and three parents.
President Remengesau in his special remarks stressed the importance of putting education as a priority and the development of the children.
"Education and knowledge are the ways to a successful life," the president stressed.
The president said that the theme of the five-day event March 12-16 "Omesuub a Kerebil a Klechad" is truly appropriate as the country continue to strive to meet the needs of the students.
"We must be responsible and discipline ourselves to ensure students success. Students’ success requires us, not only to be responsible parents and effective teachers, but we must be their voices on matters affecting their future," he said.
He said that Palau cannot be passive when it comes to the development of the children.
"We cannot continue to stand on the roadsides and watch the development and invasion of our islands take place before our eyes. We must have one voice if we are going to successfully help our students, today, and in the years to come," the president said.
The president said that education is the only way of enhancing the children and th emost valuable resources that Palau have.
"We must individually and collectively hold ourselves accountable and committed, because education is the only option for many of our children to improve their lives and their families," he said.
Minister of Education Mario Katosang in his welcome message recognized the efforts of Director Emery Wenty in bringing all the participants to engage in competitive learning activities for the event.
Katosang said that Wenty was able to secure a grant of $95,000 from the PRIDE Project to plan and implement various competitive learning opportunities for the event.
"We use this occasion to thank the Director and all the chiefs for their contributions and efforts in getting the grant," Katosang said.
"In the spirit of learning and sportsmanship, let’s utilize these opportunities to learn and network with each other and not put so much in winning and losing. If all our students will be successful in the Palauan society and the world, we must create competitive environment where we can all be winners," he said.
As early as Sunday morning, delegation from outside Koror arrived and camped in different locations particularly school campuses.
Heavy traffic along the main thoroughfares greeted motorists for several hours while the opening ceremonies are ongoing at the track and field.
Chief Sinton Soalablai took charge in the conduct of the parade of all schools while retired School Principal Esther Koshiba led in the opening prayer and Palau SDA School Vice Principal Nelson Sisior led in the singing of the national anthem.
Danica Elechang, an 11th grade student of Belau Modekngei School, did the opening chant while Wenty gave an overview of the program.
Master of ceremonies was Simeone Skilang, PTA Chairman from GBH.
Even before the competition started, winners were awarded the trophies for the Palauan Essay contest with Amber Osima, an eighth Grade student of Ngerchelong Elem. School topping it.
Jamal Rengiil of Melekeok Elem. was second and Sidney Franz of Ngaremlengui was third.
Winners for the English Essay led by champion Martin Orrukem, an 8th grader of Koror Elem, will receive their trophis on the closing ceremonies on Friday march 16.
Some of the top officials in attendance were Vice President and Justice Minister Elias Camsek, Senators Santy Asanuma and Caleb Otto, Delegates Kalistus Ngirturong and Noah Secharraimul, Ministers Alexander Merep, Elbuchel Sadang, Temmy Shmull, and Fritz Koshiba,
Governors Duane Hideo, Jackson Ngiraingas, John Skebong, Horace Rafael and Edwin Chiokai.
Competitions in various fields started such as Palauan Read Aloud, English Read Aloud, Math Jeopardy, Social Stidies, Palauan Stoty Telling, English Commercial Presentation, Career Guidance-PCC Vocational Tours, Social Studies Chant Science Fair and Match Counts.
Ball games also started in various venues such as basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field.
Today’s events starting at 7 a.m. will be the female 100 meters, 400m female, 100m male, 400m male and other events.