Principals urged to update dept

IT is the responsibility of school heads to report any suspension of classes or serious matters related to the disruption of classes, Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra says.
Kombra said school boards and principals had a duty to report these matters to the department.
“We will not be in a better position to know every schools and issues they are facing or if a school is suspended, until they send us the reports of what is happening in a particular school,” he said.
Kombra said this in response to questions about the suspension of Saidor High School in Rai Coast, Madang, following a break-in at a male dormitory during the term break.
The secretary said he had not received an update on the suspension of classes at the school.
“It is the responsibility of the school board to report to the department but right now I have not received any report from them.”
Saidor High School deputy school principal Alfred Gem said while the police and the school administration were still investigating the matter another incident happened on May 1.
He said a drunk youth entered the school premises and assaulted an ancillary staff over money.
Gem said the staff member with the help of another youth managed to get the drunkard out of the school. Gem said the youth was taken to the police station and this resulted in a stone attack on the male dormitory. Principal Ruben Numunepe on Monday met with parents and teachers to discuss a solution to the problem.
He said the school was being continuously disturbed by youths and this was affecting the students.
He said the people needed to take ownership of the school and look after the students and staff.