|
People involved in terrorising teachers,
students and damaging school property at the Salamaua High School in the
Huon district of Morobe province have not yet been arrested and charged.
The delay had prompted education authorities to hold an urgent meeting
last week to advice the provincial administration to guarantee the
safety of staff and students so that classes could resume.
The meeting was attended by the Huon district administration, education
authorities and the school administration.
Morobe provincial education adviser Murika Bihoro told The National
following the meeting that education authorities had read the reports
from the district administration, headmaster and the local people and
were “not happy” with police because of their reluctance to arrest and
charge those involved.
The school closed over two weeks ago after a group of students from the
Morobe patrol post area clashed with local villagers.
The villagers had reportedly been agitated with the behaviour of the
particular group.
It was said that the group of students had bullied fellow students and
teachers.
Agitated villagers then took the law into their own hands and attacked
the group, culminating in the closure of the school.
Parents and students were now concerned that the prolonged closure was
going to adversely affect preparations for the Grade 10 examinations
next month.
“We cannot send them (students) back to the school if these culprits
(villagers) are still there, safety has to be guaranteed and that was
the ultimate purpose of my meeting with the (provincial) administrator
because he is also the chairman of PEB (provincial education board),” Mr
Bihoro said.
 
|
