By Julie Badui-Owa – EMTV News, Lae
Morobe’s Provincial Program Advisor for Education, Keith Jiram, said schools in Lae are not getting support from the national and provincial government. These comments come after six classrooms at the Huonville Primary School in Lae were condemned by government departments for not being structurally safe.
The school was closed for an indefinite period and more than 1,800 students were forced to stay home. The working committee of Huonville Primary School has appealed to schools in Morobe, especially in Lae District to contribute and help build new classrooms for Huonville Primary School. The committee will open a new separate bank account for schools and the public to donate funds to help begin construction.
Mr. Jiram said the government has failed to support schools in maintaining their facilities and building new ones.
Huonville Primary School was ordered to shut down by the PNG Fire Service, the Health Department and the Building Board from Lae Urban Local Level Government after an inspection.
Six buildings accommodated 24 classes of grades 3 to 8 were condemned and more than 1,800 students have been forced out of class. The school administration says it can not do much because it has not received any maintenance funding since 2013.
The Primary School has in place a redevelopment plan that is with National Planning for approval. The plan includes four buildings of 8 classes each. They cost K5.2 million.
The School Board, Administration and the Education Division are calling on the national government to look into the matter and act quickly so students can resume classes.
