Schools facing problems

Letters

THERE are so many schools in Enga facing problems.
The standard of education is dropping because of ineffective school management.
In the teaching department, we have code of ethics and duty statements for teachers and the administrators of schools who are supposed to serve with dignity, honesty, and in a transparent and accountable manner in obtaining better school results in the province.
So many schools are operating on the edge, others are facing closure, and some seem to have lost focus on where they are going because of ineffective head teachers and principals that are being sent to those schools by the Enga provincial education board.
In the teaching profession, we promote professionalism, respect, loyalty, trustworthy, honesty, transparency, accountability and team work to produce the best results for students.
Effective communication between the school administration, school boards, teachers, students and the stakeholders is the foundation of building better relationships and understanding which provide collaborative actions for better results.
In many schools today, teachers’ welfare needs are not well protected. Their views, issues and worries are not attended to by the school administrations and boards.
We have the classroom teachers out there who are faithfully dedicating their life, serving the department without proper recognition.
There are some teachers out there who are just filling up their resumption forms and are not teaching but are just relaxing and getting their pay.
There are some positions that are occupied by ghost people as well.
There are some schools in Enga where school boards are running the schools.
Some school board chairmen are carrying out duties and responsibilities that are for principals.
In such instances, the head teachers’ positions, duties and responsibilities are compromised with the boards.
There is abuse of powers, duties and responsibilities in many of our schools in the province which results in the low performance of the schools.
When head teachers are not performing, we have deputy head teachers trying to challenge the positions of the school heads, and this is a very big problem we are facing in many schools in Enga today.
We also see many students and teachers as well as the stakeholders protesting to change the leadership of the schools.
These are signs and symptoms showing us that there needs to be a complete overhaul.
Education in the province needs to be reviewed.
The Enga education board need to be serious, and do proper screening and making appointments.
The performing teachers should be appointed to run the schools. Head teachers and deputy heads, as well as senior teachers, who have good track records, should be appointed to run the schools.
There should be effective school coordination taking place. School inspectors should do performance based assessment on all school heads, deputy heads, as well as senior teachers.
Such coordination and inspection should be done with honesty so that the provincial education board can appoint performing teachers to run the schools.
The provincial education division should scrutinise the schools. Look at how the schools are performing.
Look at how the school heads are performing.
Look at the facilities the schools have.
Our good governor Sir Peter Ipatas, has been prioritising education.
However, we are just using the governor’s name and not delivering quality education.
I am an outsider serving in Enga with dignity.
To be honest, we are victimising the children of Enga and Papua New Guinea because of our poor efforts in education.
The problems described above are widespread.
Nepotism and bribery has become a norm.
Public office becomes the gateway for personal fortune.
Quality education is sacrificed.
Where is Enga heading?

Posted by Bid Ambassi,
Wabag,
Enga Province