School suspended, no learning for students

**Sio Primary School senior teacher Kelly Kuso in front of a staff house he was building using his own money and labour. – Nationalpic by BRADLEY MARIORI**

**The school covered by overgrown grass after it was suspended last year due to poor teachers’ welfare. – Nationalpic by BRADLEY MARIORI**

By BRADLEY MARIORI
MORE than 500 students are forced to stay at home after their primary school in Morobe was suspended because of poor teacher welfare.
Sio Primary School, located in the Wasu local level government area of Tewae-Siassi, was suspended mid-last year to allow for the construction of teachers’ houses, kitchens and toilets but nothing was done till this year, forcing students to stay at home.
Senior teacher Kelly Kuso said the school was first suspended for two weeks by the Tewae-Siassi school inspector and district education manager after teachers complained about their welfare.
He said after the suspension, nothing was done to improve the teachers’ houses and a letter was given by the Morobe administration to suspend the school for an indefinite period.
“Currently, the school is under suspension and there are no classes for the children,” Kuso said. The community built three bush material houses but they are still incomplete.
“We have three permanent staff houses and one semi-permanent house.
“We have 11 positions at the school.
“We have four feeder schools for Sio primary.
“They are affected too because of the suspension.
“A few of the students transferred out while the rest are at home.”