ESP schools to remain closed

SCHOOLS in cholera-stricken areas along the Sepik River will remain closed until they get clearance from the provincial cholera task force committee.
East Sepik provincial education adviser, Pius Munkaje, said on Tuesday that teachers for schools in the affected areas did not resume work last week and were awaiting clearance.
Mr Munkaje said schools in the Murik Lakes area, Marienberg, Kaup, Kambaramba, Moim and Makendo villages where there was high presence of cholera reported, would start late as he did not want to compromise the teachers’ health.
However, Mr Munkaje said all other schools throughout the province resumed classes this week.
Angoram High School opened for the academic year this week after it was cleared by health authorities who had warned students to be cautious of their personal hygiene.
Health officers told the students that cholera was here to stay, and therefore, they should take precautionary measures.
Mr Munkaje said in light of the presence of cholera, accompanied by the current dry spell in the district, water would be a problem for students.
He said he would meet provincial administrator Samson Torovi later this week to discuss how best they could address the problem.
Provincial cholera response coordinator Dr John Sairere did not return The National’s phone call.