Parents save school from closing

The education of over 200 children has been saved by concerned parents and teachers in East Sepik after a short dialog with the Education Divisional heads.

The group of parents and two concerned teachers of Wom Memorial Primary School, a newly established school in Wewak Rural LLG, were shocked to discover that their new school was on the brink of being shut down by the Provincial Education Board.

Provincial Education Manager Timothy Yavu revealed that he was about to close the school due to continuous unsolved issues.

"It's a good thing you're here because I'm ready to put this issue forward to PEB to close this school because there are a lot of existing issues."

Yavu highlighted that Wom Memorial Primary School is faced with several issues, including no staff houses, land disputes, and dual appointments of teachers, leading to teacher absenteeism.

The parents who initially went to discuss changing teacher's appointments and salaries, also indicated to Mr Yavu that there are local teachers stepping in but without pay.

Yavu assured the parents that absent teachers will be dealt with and teachers teaching without pay will be paid.

Prioritizing children's education, Yavu strongly encouraged the parents to sort out their issues and look after their school starting with fixing land disputes and building teacher's houses.

Vice Chairlady of the School Board Leoba Saragum told Mr Yavu they have found a new site to move Wom Memorial Primary School to.

"We would like you to visit the proposed site that we will move our school to. It can accommodate teachers houses as well and we will expand to have grades 7 and 8" she said.

Welcoming their invitation, Yavu made a generous donation to the school. "I promise to give your school K10,000 to help with construction of the school at the new site," he said.

This funding, a portion of funds allocated to the Education Division by East Sepik Provincial Government, will support children in Wom to get better education.