Official saw division after two principals named for same post

THE biggest issue affecting secondary schools in Southern Highlands is the appointment of two school principals to one school by the provincial education board early this year, an official said.
As a result, Ialibu Secondary suffered and a caretaker appointment made while the provincial
education board worked on a permanent appointment, provincial education caretaker adviser Leo Supiri said.
He said Erave, Pangia, Kaupena, Mendi and Nipa Secondary Schools faced problems when the two principals were appointed.
After former adviser Joel Raitiano resigned, a new adviser was appointed and during the earthquake disaster, Supiri was appointed as caretaker by acting provincial administrator Thomas Eluh.
He has now been visiting secondary schools for 10 weeks.
He was also at the forefront of peace negotiations at Ialibu Secondary and visited affected schools in the Kutubu LLG area.
During his visits to the schools, Supiri witnessed tension and saw how divided the school administration was.
He has called for an audit of all secondary schools.
“It is important that an audit is carried out in all secondary schools,” he said.
“The double principal posting has affected the students’ learning and the provincial education board is now doing its best to iron out the issue.
“It will take some time to settle the disputes.”
He said that while he was concentrating on the Ialibu Secondary issue, Erave Secondary
School faced similar problem of two principals fighting over the same job.