Parents raise concerns over incomplete school project

By ROSELYN ELLISON
CONCERNS have been raised over an incomplete school project in Pomio, East New Britain.
Parents of students attending St Paul’s Battalion Tol High School in the East Pomio local level government (LLG) said the school was established by former Pomio MP Paul Tiensten to serve students from the area who had previously travelled by boat to attend schools in other parts of the district and province.
Parent Nick Tiensten told The National on Monday that the school was now four years old and had witnessed four graduations.
He said approval was given by the provincial government earlier this year for the high school to be upgraded to secondary school status next year, but it did not have the appropriate facilities to meet the eligibility criteria.
Tiensten said a number of buildings that were funded by the Pomio development authority (DDA) and contracted to Tzen Niugini Oil Palm Plantations for upgrade had not been completed.
He said unfortunately, the buildings were not ready for use as the project was incomplete and had been exposed to the elements (sun and rain) and the materials used were of low quality.
“We, parents, and also those in the neighbouring communities, are now appealing to the provincial government, the DDA and Tzen Niugini tell us when these incomplete buildings for Tol High School will be completed,” he said.
Tiensten called on the authorities to investigate the project and why it had been poorly managed and carried out by a contractor that was primarily an oil palm company.
Meanwhile, Pomio MP Elias Kapavore thanked the parents for raising their concerns.