OVER 600 Tari Secondary School students in the Southern Highlands province were sent home over fears for their life after the school was forcefully closed last week.
The end-of-the-year
examinations are likely to be affected as disgruntled students mostly from the Hela region, demanded the removal of the deputy school principal over allegations of maladministration.
Catholic education secretary Joe Sui and a section of a police mobile squad went to the area last Tuesday to address the matter but were unsuccessful.
Mr Sui confirmed that the school had been closed for a week and would remain closed until further notice.
Last Friday, three truck-loads of non-Hela students numbering about 240 from the eastern part of the province, returned home in fear of their life.
The school, one of the oldest in the province, was turned into a near battlefield as local Hela students went on rampage on the campus.
Sources said they forcefully seized the keys of the properties and occupied buildings and further threatened to attack any teachers and students wanting to go return to class.
A teacher was reportedly slashed with a bush knife and was nursing injuries at the Tari hospital.
Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru yesterday called on the students to return to classes immediately.
Mr Agiru, who is a former student at the school and hails from the area at which the school is situated, said the students should worry about their future and education.

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