Flood forces school to close

CLASSES at Lababia Primary School in Huon Gulf, Morobe, was closed after a recent landslip at Mt Buriri caused massive flooding by the Tabare River which damaged classrooms, a teacher’s house and family homes.
The Sunei village hamlet at the foot of Mt Buriri was completely buried.
Boulders diverted the river to flow into the village and school grounds damaging seven houses and leaving 39 people homeless.
Classes for elementary and Grades 3-7 were cancelled indefinitely.
Huon Gulf education manager Moses Wanga set in place measures for Grade 8 students to sit their final examinations this week.
Wanga announced the closure after two consecutive assessments to disaster-stricken Lababia last Tuesday and Saturday.
An incomplete double classroom for Grades 8 and 7, a teacher’s house were completely damaged while Grades 4, 3 and elementary classrooms were partly damaged.
Wanga urged the comunity to relocate the school to higher ground and for the affected families not to rebuild their homes in the disaster prone site for their safety and health.
Salamaua council manager Yambem Kwafenuc engaged officers Stanley Sakal and Martin Basa to assess and compile e report of the disaster.
The report said a total of 345 food gardens were destroyed which affected 683 families.
Kwafenuc assisted with K1500 of which K500 was spent on rations for Grade 8 students throughout examination week.
The remaining  K1000 was given to the headteacher Jessy Ambu for hosting the graduation ceremony for the Grade 8s.