By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV News, Port Moresby
There are just two more days left before the school year begins, and Goldie River Primary School, like other schools in the country, has yet to receive its Tuition Fee Free (TFF) funding.
The school itself is old and not a conducive learning environment.
Teachers’ accommodation is also a problem that needs to be immediately addressed by authorities.
Goldie River Primary School is as old as the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Training Depot at Goldie River in Central province.
The school is located inside Goldie Barracks, providing a service to the Koiari people and the children of defence force personnel that live in the barracks.
However, since the school was established in early 1900, there has been no refurbishment or new building built. The new head teacher, Leanne David, says she has a big duty to solve these problems one at a time.
Having only 16 teachers, the school has registered more than 600 students this year.
However, the teachers are concerned that there will be 50 to 60 students in a classroom, and three to a desk. Last year, some sat on the floor.
Teachers are not settled properly, as there is no accommodation at the school.
Many of them travel for more than 20 kilometres from Port Moresby to the school every day. Half of them travel as far away as Gordon and Gerehu to get to the PNGDF training depot to work.
The teachers are now calling on the government to look into their welfare.
