College runs out of funds for graduation

WATER and power supply to the Madang Technical College have been cut and the final year graduation ceremony was cancelled due to lack of funds.
The college is one of the biggest and oldest technical institutions in the country, offering courses like carpentry, plumbing, welding and business trade courses.
Frustrated staff and students claimed there was mismanagement of the college finances.
It is believed that the college had been running out of funds and had cancelled its formal graduation and had also affected the operation of the college.
One of the students said that graduation for any institution was a formal process where students were officially farewelled and presented certificates for the successful completion of their programmes.
He said that there should have been funds to host a successful graduation and it was not fair for them that it had been cancelled.
“It is a shame and this clearly indicates poor management, if we, as students, can do our part to pay up the required fees,” he said.
Another teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that many teachers had been without water and lights after been disconnected in mid-November due to the administration’s failure in settling the bills.
The sources blamed the administration for poor administrative and accountable management skills which resulting in the accumulating problems experienced at the college.
The staff member said that there were so many other problems experienced at the institution but they had been silent about them for a long time now.
The source also alleged that some teachers at the college had not been paid for couple of years after the administration had failed to get things in order for the teachers to be on the payroll.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
“We cannot pretend to be doing well when there are so many serious problems with the college which need immediate intervention by the higher education authorities for the wellbeing of all parties concern and the future of the institution,” the source said.
The principal was out of his office when contacted for comment but a staff from within the administrative confirmed not having the graduation although they have graduating students but declined to comment further.
PNG Waterboard confirmed giving discounts  to schools and teachers.
PNG Power also confirmed disconnecting power to the institution for nonpayment of outstanding bills but declined to elaborate further on the matter.