Board warns students, teachers

THE Morobe education board (PEB) has warned that it will not tolerate alcohol and drug abuse by students and teachers this year.
Education adviser Keith Tangui said the consumption of alcohol, especially cheap and available products, had affected many students over the years and authorities needed to ensure students understood the consequences of making poor decisions.
Tangui said the PEB would be tougher this year, showing no mercy on those found to be drunk in school or under the influence of other illicit substances.
“If found to be under the influence, that will be an automatic termination,” he said. “There will be no leniency; this is a PEB policy.”
Tangui said last year, there were two separate arson cases at Salamaua High School and Dregerhafen High School which were both related to alcohol abuse.
He said students involved in both cases had all been arrested by police, adding that if found guilty, they should be expelled.
“We’ve given mandate to these schools to terminate them but the decision lies with each school,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tangui said the PEB was still awaiting reports from head teachers of the both schools.