Relieved students graduate

By GABRIEL LAHOC
THIRTY-five students at the Labu Tale Primary School in Huon Gulf, Morobe, are relieved to have passed their Grade 8 exams after a year of disruptions, hardship and living in fear.
A graduation ceremony was held for them along with a church service last Sunday.
The determination of three courageous teachers helped them, though tribal attacks forced the suspension of Grades 1 to 7 classes. 
The students studied under three different teachers in Pigua, a small satellite village that had been targeted by neighbouring tribes from Buang in Bulolo and forcing the suspension of classes from Grades 1 to 7.
Morobe Deputy Governor and chairman of education Morokoi Gaiwata and a senior assistant officer for education services, Berei Kalo, praised the perseverance of the students and guidance from the committed teachers, with strong support from the board of management and the
community.
Board chairman Mathew Simon said the school learning improvement programme was planned by a former head teacher and was implemented by Lucas Jack, Kanau Jack and Betty Lunda, with support from the community.
Because Labu Tale was under siege by random attacks over the years from the neighbouring Bematu tribe from Buang, three head teachers were forced to leave for their families’ safety.
The school is located at the village of Maus Buang.
The last of those head teachers left the school halfway through this year leaving the three teachers to run the school.
Simon said the three teachers had to scale down the number of students, resulting in the suspension of Grades 1 to 7 to give priority to Grade 8 to complete their studies.
Kalo wanted to see the 35 students progress into secondary schools, while  Gaiwata made a commitment for the school to benefit from a K500,000 funding assistance under the education ministry in 2013.