Letter misleading

Letters

AS principal of the Asaroka Lutheran Secondary School (ALSS), I am responding to a misleading and misconstrued letter published in your newspaper recently by a “Concerned parent”.
For the benefit of that concerned parent and also for the other parents of students attending the school as well as stakeholders, I’d like to clarify certain issues.
Firstly, the management procedures and protocols in any Government institution on finances are the same.
The public ought to understand that the principal and the school’s board chairman are answerable only to the Education authorities, via the ALSS Board of Governing Council and the Evangelical Lutheran church of PNG, in terms of acquittals and quarterly reports.
ALSS is not accountable to anyone, including the “Concerned parent”, who seems to have sinister motives behind his baseless letter.
Secondly, “Concerned parent” ought to know that the previous TFF policy that catered for all educational expenses, was revised slightly, such that stakeholders were to contribute 38 per cent on top of the school fees charged – i.e. all parents were obliged to take ownership of their children’s education by paying compulsory project and uniform fees.
I was commissioned as principal last May, when the school’s 58-year-old infrastructures and facilities had deteriorated due to lack of upkeep and refurbishments including students’ dormitories, staff houses, classrooms, and mess.
I used the scarce funds from the school’s account and carried out certain tasks, which I will highlight:

  • THE boys’ dormitories were renovated and repainted with the school’s traditional colors, including installation of Tuffa tanks. Septic toilets were also installed;
  • THE student representative council was given equal attention through budgetary appropriation to address the importance of students’ welfare and needs;
  • STUDENTS’ meals were quantitated and qualitied.

Periodical supplements of meat were also provided;

  • ANNEXATION of 300 square meters of school land fenced and a memorial monument of the founder of the school, late Rev Len Tcharke erected;
  • INSTALLATION of internet and computers for students and teachers, including reactivation of defunct telephone/facsimile lines;
  • WATER supply dam, neglected for many years, was cleaned, increasing the intake of water to the school;
  • ALSS is now a recipient of a 4 in 1 classroom, courtesy of the EHP administration; and,
  • THREE old classrooms are being pulled down and materials used to rebuild 3 staff houses. For the first time, I’m using manual labor from the Bihute Prison to cut costs.

Also, I just want “Concerned parent” to know that the my priority is to ensure that ALSS becomes self-sufficient and self-sustaining under my administration.
That’s why a brand new tractor was purchased last year and about 3 hectares of land ploughed and a trial run on growing rice.
When the result of the trial was successful, we are investing in rice cultivation and production on a large scale.
The rice project will be launched this month by the prime minister.
I envision a better future for ALSS.
In all, I am wary about handling of the school’s academic and administration functions, which includes funds earmarked for the school.
I am guided by my moral principles and obligations to prudently manage the school, including its funds, resources and staff.
Therefore, I would hope people like “Concerned parent” would assist me rather than hide behind a pseudonym to taint the image of my administration and the school.

Aki OLISAGAVE (Mr),
Principal