by Bethanie Harriman – EM TV News, Banz
The administration of the newly established Jiwaka Teachers College say they will register the institute despite political interference.
It’s understood that the interference comes from within the provincial government hierarchy.
Jiwaka Teachers College Director and founder, Paul Siwi says the school was established to give an opportunity to train students into teachers.
When Jiwaka became a new province, one of the first established higher institutions was the Jiwaka Teachers College.
Its first intake in March 2014 was 80 students, this year that number more than doubled to 260 students.
“Every year there is 20,000 to 30,000 school drop outs, the government can’t cater for all these children, so seeing the problem our community started this initiative,” said Siwi.
“The school is a community initiative that gained direct support from the national government”.
Negotiations began last year with schools administration and the Department of Higher National News to register the institute.
But there has been political interferences and it has frustrated the local community who gave four hectares of land for the college to be built on.
On Thursday, members of the community gathered at the school to draw attention to the future of the school.
They all say they want the school registered without any political hindrance.
While political meddling happens in high-level of government, the students feel the full brunt.
Students who spoke out say there is uncertainty amongst them, and that the school must be registered without political interferences.
The national government and the North-Wahgi District Authority have provided funding of over K750,000 for the construction of classrooms.
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