Policy attracts students

 THE free education policy has attracted thousands of students in the rural areas of Southern Highlands and even married people have shown interest in learning.

A single classroom, which was supposed to cater for 30-35 students, now has 50-60 and head teachers of the schools are concerned.

Head teacher of Mil-Werip Primary School, in the Lower-Mendi LLG, Joannes told The National that rural areas had limited resources to cater for growing numbers.

“We know it is their right, but how can we deal with such a situation when we lack the appropriate resources to equip them?” Joannes asked.

Joannes said the government of the day was concerned with the students’ education and it was now up to the provincial government and MPs of the electorates to assess the situation.

“It is a sad situation,” he said. 

“The government freed the poor parents from the school fee burdens but it is a headache to remote schools that have limited resources.”

“For quality and compulsory education, MPs should act on district administrator’s budget to implement infrastructure development to cater for flooding students using the K2 million District Services Improvement Programme funds.”

Mil-Werip Primary serves students from three electorates, Nipa-Kutubu, Imbonggu and Mendi-Munihu, living in the mountainous and remote areas.