|
School head is forced to stand down
THE principal of Aiyura National High School has been sidelined.
Therese Dingu, who has been with the school for 20 years, was forced to
stand down after students boycotted classes last week to demand her
ouster.
The students also asked for an investigation into alleged misuse of
money raised during a major fundraising drive last year.
Mrs Dingu stood down last Feb 12, pending investigations by the
Education Department.
The allegations are contained in a petition circulated by the student
representative council.
Saying she has not been given a copy of the petition, Mrs Dingu stressed
the allegations raised are baseless.
“The SRC petition has allegations that are shallow and unsubstantiated.
“There are all sorts of threats to have me physically removed from the
campus.
“For what reason and what crime? I am at a loss!
“The Education representatives have come in from Port Moresby to address
the situation.
“I have been sidelined pending investigations which I have humbly
accepted and welcomed,” Mrs Dingu said.
She said all the 30th independence anniversary funds raised last year
are intact.
“The fundraising committee presented the report to the governing council
meeting last October, when these students were still in Grade 11.
“It was accepted … they (SRC) did not have the courtesy to wait until a
governing council meeting is convened this term so they could be
informed.
“We have not even had the time to decide on where to use the funds
because of the Christmas break,” Mrs Dingu asserted.
Former students of the school have described her sidelining as an
“undignified removal” of a long time staff of the institution.
“I am concerned about the approach the current students have taken to
temporarily remove Mrs Dingu as principal of Aiyura.
“Surely, there must be a more dignified manner that recognises the
humility of her service to the school all these years,” Chris Taukuro, a
1985 graduate, said.
Journalist Maggie Mokiri Fintic, a former student said: “I am so sad
about what is happening in Aiyura.
“Where have all the respects for our elders gone?”
Another former student, Medi Reta, said the students’ behaviour and the
manner Mrs Dingu was removed were “unacceptable”.
 
|
