Hutjena in crisis: indefinite suspension as violence rocks school

The noticeboard outside the school's main administration block was knocked down by the intoxicated students (Image: Supplied)

Hutjena Secondary School on Buka Island is now under indefinite suspension, as authorities grapple with a disturbing wave of student violence that left school infrastructure vandalised and a teacher assaulted.

The suspension, which began on Tuesday, will remain in place until the full extent of damage is assessed and a decision is made on how long the school will remain closed.

Reports reaching NBC News reveal that the chaos erupted after students, believed to be under the influence of alcohol, attacked a teacher over a missing phone.

The situation spiraled out of control, with students storming the school office and vandalising properties, triggering an emergency response from the school and Education Department.

Bougainville Education Secretary Dorothy Kenneth has condemned the incident and says the school must now take full disciplinary control of the situation.

A formal situational report is being compiled and will be submitted to the department for further action.

While the department can recommend short-term suspensions, a longer shutdown can only be approved by the Bougainville Education Board.

This is not the first blow for Hutjena this year. The school has already endured a fire that destroyed its science laboratory, earlier assaults on teachers by students and outsiders, and now, the latest round of violence that has pushed it into crisis mode.

This picture shows papers tossed everywhere in the main staff room area (Image: Supplied)

Secretary Kenneth says the ongoing disciplinary issues are deeply troubling and must be addressed head-on.

She emphasized the need for schools to enforce rules with consistency and authority, warning that continued disorder will not be tolerated.

“What’s happening at Hutjena reflects a much bigger issue in our education system,” she said. “We cannot allow this kind of lawlessness to go unchecked in learning institutions. Discipline must be restored.”

She has called for urgent action from the Bougainville Education Board and the Teaching Service Commission to install qualified school counselors who can help students deal with personal and behavioural issues before they spiral into violence.

Kenneth also highlighted the need for a unified, standardised disciplinary policy that all schools can enforce, monitor, and be held accountable to.

As one of the region’s flagship secondary schools, Hutjena’s crisis sends a troubling message about the state of discipline in Bougainville’s schools. The call is now out to educators, parents, communities, and government to restore order and protect the learning environment before more schools follow the same path.