By Theckla Gunga- EMTV News, Port Moresby
The donation of a school truck to the Kubalia Secondary School in East Sepik Province marks the beginning of a new era for the students and its administration.
The school was seen struggling to operate after it received no funding support from the national government through the Tuition Fee Free Policy this year.
As a result, the school administration charged parents a project fee of K250 per student and used the money to fund the school’s operation.
The presentation of the vehicle comes after a new governing council was formed, and a new headteacher appointed.
Since the beginning of this academic year, the school has not benefited from tuition fee free funding and has a debt of over K270,000.
As a result of mismanagement, the current administration is still trying to repay this debt.
Kubalia Secondary, a boarding school, is one of five secondary schools in the Yangoru Saussia District, that provides education for students mostly in the Saussia LLG.
The school has enrolled close to a thousand students, half of them will be sitting the 2018 Grade 10 and 12 National Examinations.
The presentation of the new school truck marks a promising start for Kubalia Secondary.
As it is slowly recovering from its debts, the local MP has pledged a K100,000 support to renovate teachers’ houses and build a mess facility.
Yangoru Saussia MP, Richard Maru, said the future of the school is the responsibility of the staff of the school, highlighting on management and discipline.
Mr. Maru called on the Education Advisor and School Chairman to appoint a qualified School Principal to run the school.
“Somebody experienced, competent to run this school and help me build this institution.”
