86 schools suspend classes

By MAJELEEN YANEI
CLASSES in 86 schools in East Sepik’s Ambunti, Wosera-Gawi and Angoram have been suspended indefinitely due to floods and the recent earthquake.
Thousands of students, currently on their first-term break, will know their fate when the floodwaters recede and the authorities assess the extent of the damage.
East Sepik education executive manager Timothy Yavu said a team from the education division visited the affected schools, which included elementary and primary schools. High schools and secondary schools are on higher ground.
“The classrooms (have been) covered by flood waters for three weeks, and the water level is gradually decreasing,” Yavu said.
“We hope it doesn’t take another three weeks when term two begins.
“We are waiting for the water level to drop and after the mud dries up, the team will reassess the situation, and determine if it is safe to resume classes.
“Schools where classrooms have collapsed underwater will take time to rebuild. “They may not start on time (second term) as the wet weather continues.”
Yavu said if the situation worsened, the Education Department would be consulted to decide whether to suspend the academic year or to continue.
Provincial protocol officer Patrick Nek said the disaster response team had collected reports of learning materials and facilities destroyed and would assist with textbooks, furniture, water tanks, sanitation relief and hardware materials.
Teaching Service Commission chairman Samson Wangihomie said teachers serving in disaster-affected schools across the country would remain on payroll until school resumed.