Grace Memorial at loss over Resi funds

ONE of the two largest boarding schools in Morobe province, Grace Memorial Secondary School in Wau, has not received its K9 million rehabilitation education sector infrastructure (Resi) funds for this year.
The money would have helped Grace Memorial Secondary improve its classrooms, offices and residences for 43 teachers and 1,300 students.
A teacher said the money had been diverted elsewhere.
Deputy principal of academic Martin Kogori said they were told by the Department of National Planning last year that the money had been moved elsewhere by a politician.
He said the K9 million earmarked for Grace Memorial Secondary disappeared before the deputy board chairman, Michael Marawila, and himself travelled to Waigani to follow up.
According to the teachers, National Planning told them that the fund was “extinct”, meaning it was manipulated and diverted by politicians into their own projects.
In the meantime, the school’s science and computer laboratories remained incomplete and lack proper apparatus and equipment.
There are only eight staff houses. More than 30 teachers have to live off campus.
Two staff members are residing in the agriculture office and staff room.
Students are living in five male and two female overcrowded dormitories.
The dining hall also is so small that students have to be broken up into two groups to have their meals.