180 Kagua students taught in mess hall

By REBECCA KUKU
THE 180 grade 9 students of Kagua Secondary High School are having classes together in the mess hall after their classrooms were damaged by the earthquake.
School principal Kita Yambi said four Grade 9 classrooms, four staff houses and one male dormitory were damaged by the earthquake.
“We have already compiled a report with pictures of the damage and sent it to the education office,” Yambi said.
“However, we have yet to receive any relief or aid from the department.”
“Computers in the computer laboratory were also damaged and the school’s water tank was also damaged.
“But despite the damage we have continued to have normal classes.”
Yambi said other school properties were also damaged but they were determined to continue with classes.
Other schools in the province remained closed while repairs to buildings damaged by the earthquake were carried out. Provincial education authorities were also planning to send students to other provinces to continue their education there.
The 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Feb 26 caused severe damaged to Hela, Southern Highlands and Western as well as Enga and Gulf.
The relief effort for the earthquake victims were continuing to flow into the affected areas with the help of international community and the local people.
The quake had claimed many lives and injured hundreds of people who are still in trauma.
Once the initial emergency response to immediate needs such as medical aid, sanitation services and food aid have been implemented, the focus on relief efforts shifts to the next steps for the rebuilding of affected areas including health and education facilities and other infrastructures that would cost millions of kina.