Marape calls for re-opening of Passam school

 FINANCE  and Education Minister James Marape has issued directions to open Passam National High School to enrol Grade 11 students from next year.

One of the country’s pioneer schools, Passam was forced to  close in 2010 over land compensation demand by the landowners and was closed for about three years. 

Trade, Industry and Commerce Minister Richard Maru took Marape on a fact-finding trip and on arrival they were met by the school principal, board chairman and East Sepik Education advisor.

Marape said an allocation of K10 million was made by the government last year to each of the existing national high schools to maintain eroding infrastructure.

He said all schools received their component in full while Passam only received half. 

The other half was used to settle a landowner feud that forced the school to shut down.

Since the landowner dispute was over, Marape said there was no reason for the institution to sit idle.

Marape said the four existing national high schools were under the school of excellence concept.

He urged the school board and management to furnish the K5 million expenditure report on the infrastructure development to him and he would allocate some money next year.

Marape said the first intake of 160 Grade 11 students would start next year and instructed the school management to align its development plans to cater for 1,000 students per year.

He said this would include the capacity to accommodate 500 Grades 11 and 12 each year in terms of dormitories, messing facilities, classrooms, chairs, tables and teachers.