Classes disrupted after parents close admin

By TONY PALME
CLASSES were disrupted as some parents closed down the administration building at the Fatima Secondary School in Jiwaka yesterday, demanding information on the grade 12 pass rate last year.
The parents from the three districts of North Waghi, Jimi and South Waghi were joined by locals from the tribes of Komblo, Sekaka, Andpang Takipkanem and Kulaka.
They demanded that the school administration and board, the Catholic agency and the provincial education division explain why the academic standard of the school had dropped.
They wanted to see a list of Grade 12 students selected to tertiary institutions this year.
They also demanded that a new administration team be picked and an explanation on why the school had increased the project fees.
In response, Bishop Douglas Young, the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen, said: “At the moment I am letting the school governing council, and the Jiwaka sub-committee of the diocesan Catholic education board to address the issues.
“It means that we will listen to the grievances and give an opportunity to the school administration to respond.”
No comments could be obtained from the school administration yesterday.
Parents’ spokesman Michael Tua said not many students from Fatima were selected to tertiary institutions.
“Fatima has been a top-10 school in the country when the Christian brothers and nuns taught there,” he said.
“Fatima has lost its former glory. The parents and stakeholders would like to see the school restoring its pride starting in 2019.”