If the principals and their deputies of the three major secondary schools in Western Highlands have been demoted as reported recently, then there should be exceptionally good reasons why the Provincial Education Board (PEB) has made that decision.
To me this seems to be the first news of its kind. I attended Mount Hagen Secondary for four years and during those years, and in the subsequent years, I have never had my principal demoted nor have I heard of principals and their deputies from other schools being demoted at the same time.
What I heard was the current PEB is comprised of political cronies who have changed the existing principals and brought in their own people for various ulterior motives.
To my surprise, I have learnt also that the current PEB is comprised of “village boys” who are not highly educated and who would lack a vision on the future of education in Western Highlands province.
This is indeed very bad for Western Highlands.
When there is no proper management in place at the top, other hard working teachers will take advantage and not teach properly and as a result performance in each school will deteriorate.
Those who would miss out will be the young men and women who can be doctors, lawyers, pilots, engineers and accountants, but a failing system will mean their dreams will not come true and most will have to return to their villages eventually.
My special request goes to the Minister for Education and the National Education Board (NEB) to intervene and review the whole appointment process and revoke new appointments made by the PEB as I am confident that the existing principals and their management teams have done their best as professional teachers and in managing the three senior schools, namely Mount Hagen Secondary, Hagen Park Secondary and Fatima Secondary.
 

Concerned Citizen
Port Moresby