Madang police call on parents to be more responsible

Madang's Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, has called on parents to take more responsibility for their children following a recent incident in which a large group of students were stranded on Pik Island after a class party went wrong.

Baim said the situation should not be blamed solely on police, as officers had already issued warnings on social media and mainstream media advising students not to gather in large groups or hold parties after exams.

“I had warned students not to go out socialising or partying in big groups after their exams,” Baim said.

The incident that happened at Pik Island was a direct breach of that warning.

According to police reports, most of the students involved were underage and had been consuming homemade alcohol, commonly known as yawa or paiya wara.

Baim said such behaviour is becoming a worrying trend amongst young people.

“Many of them were drunk, and we could have been arrested and charged for underage drinking.

"However, because they are minors, they cannot be detained," he said.

Baim also confirmed that a number of teachers were present with the students during the incident.

He urged parents to take greater control and monitor their children’s activities, especially during the school break period.

“Police cannot do everything at once. Parents must take stock of their children and ensure they act responsibly. It starts at home," he stressed.

PPC Baim added the incident serves as a warning to other schools and parents across the province to avoid similar situations, stressing that student safety and discipline should be a shared responsibility between families, schools, and authorities.