By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Classes have been disrupted at Porebada Primary School in Central Province, due to water shortages.
Head Teacher, Jaac Mario, is worried the disruptions might affect Grade Eight students preparing to sit for their National Exams.
He said the school board is working hard to find a viable water source.
Porebada Primary School sits on top of sand. Getting water to drink, cook and have a bath has been a problem since the beginning of the dry spell.
Students, teachers and the surrounding community wash from the sea, preserving the fresh water for drinking and cooking.
They get water supply from Eda Ranu, but the supply is not regular.
The school was closed for the whole of last week.
For this week onwards, they will have half-day classes, starting at 8am and finishing at 12 noon.
Mario said students have been missing classes due to no water to wash and go to school. Some have been wearing dirty uniforms and wearing the same clothes for weeks.
The students sometimes miss classes to help their families to go and buy water in Port Moresby.
The school is seeking relief from the Central Provincial Government to help them with water and sanitation.
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