Teacher Thomas quitting after 41yrs

By PETER WARI
AFTER 41 years of teaching in Hela and Southern Highlands, Thomas Ponau is double-minded about returning home to Manus to retire there.
Thomas, 64, of Bulihan village in the Penabu local level government, Lorengau district, Manus, is married to Kay from Tigibi in Hulia, Komo-Magarima, Hela.
They have six daughters, a son and four grandchildren.
“I now have a family home in Tigibi (Tari), a permanent house and a piece of land. Now that I’m done teaching, I am planning of going back to Manus and build another family home there. My wife and I will then decide where to enjoy our retired life together.”
Thomas had attended a Catholic Community School at Sohoneriu from 1964 to 1969. In 1970 and 1971, he completed Standard Five and Six at St Paul’s Catholic School at the main parish.
From 1972 to 1975 he went through forms one to four.
He spent a year at home before attending the Holy Trinity Teachers College in Western Highlands in 1977 and 1978 and graduated with a teaching certificate.
There were not enough high school teachers so they wanted primary school teachers to help out. It motivated Thomas to go back and teach at Papitalai High School in his province.
But his plan was dashed in 1979 when he was instead posted to the Tigibi Community School in Hela, then still part of Southern Highlands.
“I never looked back. My second posting was to Det Community School, then to Nipa Demonstration, Erep, Kuluanda and Pureni.”
His final posting until his retirement was back at Tigibi.
When he was first posted to the highlands, his family members were not surprised as his first cousin Anthony Peni was already teaching at Kumin Community School near Mendi town.
“I was eager to join him and serve in the highlands and my family members were happy for me.”
Like many other civil servants, it is hard to leave an area where one has served in for a long time and started a family. They become member of the community and get accustomed to the local culture and tradition. Some, such as

“ I chose to be teacher out of other careers because of the legacy I want to leave behind as a good role model to children.”

Thomas, even marry a local girl and start a family.
Thomas resigned a few months ago from the Teaching Service Commission after teaching in Hela and Southern Highlands for 41 years.
He thinks Hela is a beautiful place to live in despite all the negative comments made about law and order issues there.
“The Hela people are some of the friendliest you will ever meet. People from other provinces are living and working in Hela. I cannot see why some say that Hela is a no-go zone.”
Thomas has seen development in the health and education sectors although he admits a little more is still to be done on the law and order situation.
He believes that Hela will change for the better like other provinces.
“In order to achieve peace and orderliness in the province, people need to work together with police to ensure we achieve peace and harmony. Once we have a stable law and order situation, Hela will flourish.”
As a senior teacher, he tried to coach and mentor young graduate teachers on how to be the best in the profession.
“Time, commitment and punctuality are issues teachers face. Back then, we arrived at the classroom as early as 6.30am to prepare for the day’s lessons before the students arrives. We wait for the students, and not the other way around.”
He believes that he has given his all in the noble profession and it’s time to put up his feet and relax.
“I chose to be teacher out of other careers because of the legacy I want to leave behind as a good role model to children.”
Thomas feels he has achieved that, and more.