Principal: LO action affects school

By YVONNE KAMBIBEL
LANDOWNERS of the site where Vanimo Secondary School in West Sepik is located closed the school last month because their claims were not paid by the state.
The Wasame clan group leaders locked the school’s main gate on July 18, the first day of term three according to principal John Kanz.
He said staff and students had been entering the school using the staff residence gate.
“Normal lessons were affected starting on July 18, the first day of term three,” he said.
Kanz said the provincial education adviser (PEA) was notified of the landowners’ actions at the school located four kilometres east of Vanimo town.
He said the PEA with an officer from the Department of Lands (DAL) and one from the provincial forestry office met to confirm if the landowners’ claim that had been submitted to the provincial treasury for the Wasame clan had been processed.
“Unfortunately, the claim was not processed because a court decision or order prevented this payment so the provincial administrator directed a stop to payment,” Kanz said.
He said this action angered landowners who blocked both the front and back doors of the school’s administration building on Sun, July 24.
Kanz told The National that classes and school operations were affected until Wednesday when police intervened and reopened the main gate.
Although normal lessons have been conducted since then, Kanz said teachers and students were still uneasy about the situation.
“I have spoken to my teachers and students not to talk to the landowners and keep their distance from them to avoid any further problems,” Kanz said.
He said students had been affected by the situation between the state and the landowners and urged provincial authorities to resolve the matter promptly.
“Learning is being affected,” Kanz said.