School, locals sign peace deal

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between Boana Lutheran High School and locals on Sunday to prevent future fights between the groups, and lift the suspension of the school.
This comes after a fight between the students and the locals last month that resulted in three weeks’ suspension of classes.
Tony Dudu, head teacher of the Boana Lutheran High School in Nawaeb, Morobe, confirmed that a peace agreement was signed to lift the suspension of classes.
“The MoA signing on Sunday between locals, students and parents has allowed classes to resume today (Monday) after three weeks of suspension,” Dudu said.
He said that the provincial education division met last week and decided to lift the suspension of classes following the signing of the MoA.
Present at the reconciliation ceremony were representatives from the provincial education division, district administrator, senior public servants, church elders, parents and students.
Kusak Meluk, provincial human resource manager and a local from the area, urged Boana locals to take care of the school to ensure a safe learning environment.
“We, as the local community, should look after the school, teachers and students so that the learning environment is safe for everyone,” Meluk said.
He urged the students to put God first and study hard as education is the only way to see the world.