Deregistration irks school boss

THE deregistration of Goroka Syntax School for alleged cheating during last year’s national examination has irked director Dominic Gahane.
“The deregistration of Goroka Syntax School is unexpected and lacks substantial evidence,” he said.
“The penalty is too harsh and destructive for the school as the alleged circulation and cheating was the work of one selfish person.”
Gahane said when he received the notice of deregistration on Monday, he was shocked because the school, students and management remained innocent.
“We have no evidence of involvement in cheating in the 2023 Grade 10 national examination for English and agriculture, or were in possession of any of the papers,” Gahane said.
It is understood that the Education Department blamed the school for taking out English and agriculture papers before the exam times.
Gahane said they do not teach agriculture and none of their Grade 10 students scored 50 out of 50 in the English examination.
“All I got was the normal results that show students’ own academic abilities,” he said.
“And no evidence of cheating proven by examination results.”
Gahane said the then-principal, who is in custody awaiting his case in court, was accused of committing the alleged offence. Gahane said despite the suspect being dealt with by the law, the school was deregistered for alleged negligence of duty to ensure security of the papers.
“There was a vehicle provided to pick up the papers from the provincial office and taken to the school office and that was done perfectly,” he said.
“Securities were also available, manning the school premises.
“But the (alleged) stealing was done secretly in the principal’s office allegedly by the principal who was then my employee.
“It was very difficult for me as the director of the school to know his heart’s desire.
“I never knew until he was interrogated by Goroka police at the station.”
Gahane said it was unfair for the school to be deregistered.
He claimed that police reports also stated that the school was innocent and should not be burdened by the alleged actions of the suspect.
“I am kindly asking Education (Department) secretary Dr Uke Kombra to reconsider this decision and look at the devastating effect on the innocent students, teachers, parents and stakeholders because we are teaching Papua New Guinea curriculum and our examinable students will be badly affected by the change of environment,” Gahane said. “The least I would like is for the Education Department to grant permission for our Grade 10 and 12 students to sit the national examination on humanitarian grounds.”
He said Grade Eight students were fine because they are registered separately with a different school code.
Gahane assured parents, guardians and students that the school will continue the 2024 academic year till the end either as a permitted school or a private one.
Kombra announced the school’s deregistration on Tuesday for alleged negligence over the security of the English and agriculture papers for Grade 10s last year.