School needs assistance

By ZACHERY PER
A RECENTLY established primary school in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, is in need of basic infrastructure including classrooms and staff houses.
Head teacher of Gahuku Primary School Kaison Wonat confirmed that the school needed classrooms and housing for teachers and toilets.
“Since the school was established in 2015, there has been no Government input in school buildings and learning materials, even though the school was registered as a State school earlier this year,” he said.
Wonat called on relevant education authorities to address the situation, including helping to build infrastructure.
Wonat said the school had seven teachers who were on the Government’s payroll.
School board treasurer Siasi Koto, who gave two hectares of his land to the school, said they raised funds through informal economic activities to support the school since its establishment.
“I have spent over K30,000 of my money, Kafuku village leader Alfred Gotaha was the only one to support me with K500 and he (Gotaha) is paying for stationery and some basic school materials for students,” he said.
Koto said the school appealed to interested donors, partners, philanthropic individuals and both non-government organisations and Government institutions for help.
School board chairman Harvey Teteh said with the help of former Goroka education officer the late Ian Kapu, they established the school so children from the area did not have to travel to Okiyufa and Gorohanota primary schools.
“Our submission for tuition fee free (TFF) funding is pending with the Education Department, we hope to get the support soon,” Teteh said.
Eastern Highlands education adviser and TFF coordinator Thomas Jonduo confirmed the establishment and registration of the school.
He said Gahuku Primary and other schools in the province would be helped but that they were following State and department processes to address their (financial and administration) needs.