Madang schools face closure

By DOROTHY MARK
OVER 90 schools in Madang’s Raicoast are among many others on the verge of closing down because of the delay in their tuition fee-free funds.
Head teachers have approached the provincial education office since last week enquiring on when the promised funds would be deposited in to their school bank accounts.
Joe Timindi, representing head teachers from Raicoast, said 98 schools in the district have used up their TFFs and were desperately waiting for this quarter’s payment.
Catholic education secretary Bruno Tulemanil said Brahman High
School was the worst affected agency school since its TFF ran out a few weeks ago.
“Brahman has exhausted its funds and it’s depending on assistance from patents and little funds set aside by the school” he said.
“The school has 900 students and it’s really struggling.”
Tulemanil said Malala Secondary was fortunate to have the Holy Spirit sisters at the campus who are helping them out.
He said Holy Spirit High School in Bogia was also struggling.
Madang education director Moses Sariki said he was aware of the situation and that officers responsible for TFF would brief him so that he could respond accordingly.