Maltech Sec still rated a high school

TEACHERS at Maltech Secondary School in Rabaul, East New Britain, are still teaching on high school positions despite the school being granted secondary status this year.
Maltech administration, parents and Rabaul administration want the elevation of the school’s status to attract more qualified secondary school teachers.
The National sighted a copy of the 2011 Education Department National Gazette which highlighted that teachers at Maltech were still on high school positions and there were no new positions created to cater for the secondary level.
Principal Eva Magaga said the school was awarded secondary status without positions and its structure was still the same as that of a high school, adding that the school was trying its best to run a secondary school on a lower level.
Magaga said the government must now recognise the need for the school’s current status to be lifted to secondary school to attract qualified teachers so the school was able to produce top students by next year.
Last week, concerns were raised regarding the absence of some Grade 11 teachers for the past two weeks, saying this had to be addressed immediately.
Magaga said she had met with teachers and students last week and the teachers gave pledged their support to improve and make up with the students.
She said some of the teachers involved were those from Kerevat National High School who were moved to Maltech when Kerevat was shut down early this year for renovation.