Education quality in Manus dropped

THE 2020 academic year is just around the corner.
I have great concern for my Manus school leavers whose enrollments into universities in recent years had badly dropped.
It is now 10 years since indigenous Manus school leavers dominated lists of successful intakes into universities and tertiary institutions.
We envy other provinces outperforming us in an area where we dominated.
What has gone wrong?
Is there enough parental and political support?
The education standard in Manus and East New Britain were once used as guiding examples for teachers and the Education Department for grading purposes across the country.
This has now evaporated unfortunately. Like me, many pick up university listings yearly around early January to glance through the names and number of successful candidates to pursue further studies at tertiary institutions.
Sadly Manus has lapsed far behind. We hope for improvements in 2020.
For a small population in Manus, sometimes I wonder if the annual K10 million Provincial Services Improvement Programme (PSIP) and K10 million District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP) funds are utilised to push school leavers further through the provincial government’s self sponsorship scheme for school leavers to have a second chance in education.
I would do this if I was in authority. Sir Peter Ipatas did that to Engan students and look what has transpired? Congratulations Sir Peter.
I came out from an urban slum (Maus Wara settlement in Lorengau). I encourage those in authority in Manus to re-ignite the hidden energy for excellence in education among school leavers in 2020 and beyond.
Make funds available for parents and their children who have just left school and wanting to pursue further studies.
Encourage girls to remain within the education system for as long as possible. To the school leavers, do not just swallow your bitterness within yourselves.
Speak out to somebody for help, seek assistance from friendly citizens, there is always someone willing to help. Let us all nurture the goodness out of the children, together we can do it.

Gerard Saleu