School term options

By Rebecca Kuku
THE Government is considering extending the academic year for schools in areas damaged by the earthquake, or to send students to nearby schools which are safe to use.
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Pila Niningi told The National yesterday that they were awaiting assessment reports from teams on the ground before making the decision.
“We will have to see what types of damage were done and if they can be repaired,” he said.
He said not all school facilities in areas affected by the earthquake were badly damaged.
Niningi said damage to facilities which could be repaired quickly would be attended to so that they could continue first term classes.
“Those which were not affected or those with damage that could be easily fixed would continue,” he said.
“Those that suffered serious damage will have to be closed and fixed and their students will be allowed to move to other schools.
“Our priority will be the nursing and teacher colleges in the area. We will have to make sure that they are fixed so classes can resume.”
Department Secretary Father Jan Czuba said the two nursing colleges in Mendi and Enga were the priorities because the country needed nurses.
“We have a team on the ground, making assessments and compiling a report on tertiary institutes and colleges in the disaster affected areas,” he said.
“We are expecting a report to be submitted by next Monday – then we’ll make a decision.
“But we will take into consideration the students’ safety and the access to services such as health and clean water.”
Many schools in Hela and Southern Highlands – the two provinces worst hit – had remained closed since the earthquake on Monday Feb 26.