Late subsidy leads to K10,000 debt

 By PISAI GUMAR

BUTIBAM Primary School in Lae, Morobe, has accumulated K10,000 in debts after the first term while waiting for school subsidies from the government.

The school’s deputy board chairman and treasurer Godfrey Yalisimbi said yesterday that despite the publication of schools that should benefit from the subsidies early this year, their Westpac account had nothing to prove. 

He said their debts included K4,000 for water, K1,000 for electricity and K5,000 for 30 desks received from Busu Joinery company.

“However, we are likely to close down as the PNG Power and PNG Water has issued us disconnection notices as the children begin the second term,” Yalisimbi said.

He added that stationery was also a critical problem affecting teachers and their 900 students.

Their only option was to shut down classes and wait for the subsidies, he said.

“If toilet and water is disconnected, both teachers and children’s health and hygiene will be at risk; therefore, we appeal to responsible authorities to execute their duties so teachers’ and students’ learning are not affected,” Yalisimbi said.

He also blamed parents for being irresponsible by not paying the K150 project fees.

“As parents, we can never neglect our duties and depend on government alone. 

“If government provides learning facilities, pay teachers’ wages and willing to assist with subsidies, parents need to pay project fees. We cannot depend too much on government, while failing our responsibilities as parents,” Yalisimbi said.

He said the school also needed additional funding to complete its double storey classroom project.