School raises funds for desks

 STUDENTS of St Peter’s Primary School, in the National Capital District, held a fundraising event last Friday to buy equipment such as desks and chairs because of the increase in enrolment this year.

Brother Victor Piniau said the number of students had increased from 900 to 1,200 because of the Government’s tuition fee-free policy.

He said the school was accommodating 50 to 60 students per class which was way above the accepted norm of 30 students per teacher ratio. 

Piniau said the problem was compounded by the fact that there had been a delay in the payment of the education subsidy to the school this year.

Head teacher Kamel Torombe said they had been informed that there was an error to the figure submitted by the education department which the bank detected.

She said the bank was sorting out the problem.

“At the moment the school is running on its project account fund and will also make use of funds raised,” Torombe said.

She said parents were supporting the school with their own fundraising activities.

The fundraising event included activities such as face painting, food stalls, printing of T-shirts and inter-class competitions.

Meanwhile, the teachers and students chased out a woman who tried to sell betel nuts and cigarettes during the fundraising.