Classes on as school reopens

By HELEN TARAWA
THE Gorari Primary School in the Kokoda local level government area has been reopened and classes are expected to resume today after being closed for a week.
Acting provincial police commander Chief Sergeant Edric Boera said that four youths from the Gorari community under the influence of alcohol had attacked the head teacher and staff of the school.
Boera said the youths allegedly threw stones at the school and harassed the staff.
As a result, classes were suspended until yesterday when provincial education adviser Mino Vegoli and his officers arrived at the school for a meeting.
“I was invited as the acting PPC so I went along with the officials for the meeting with the parents and teachers to address the issues,” Boera said.
“We had two meetings, one with the school board and the other by the parents and citizens.
“A lot of parents expressed concerns about their children many of whom would be sitting for grade 8 examinations.
“They don’t want the school to be closed after the week-long suspension for the sake of their children.”
It is understood that the villages were wanting compensation
for the school land which belongs to the Anglican Church of PNG.
The church had acquired ownership during the early days and built the school and the church.
Boera had appealed to the people to work together to surrender the youths who were involved in the attack.
“They wanted to shut down the school but Vegoli assured the parents that the school will resume classes (today).”
Boera will be travelling to Gorari to meet community elders for the supects to be apprehended.