Schools preparing for exams despite lack of funding, Covid-19

By PATRICIA KEAMO
SCHOOLS in Port Moresby are preparing for the national examinations despite the challenges of adhering to the Covid-19 measures and the lack of funding from the Education Department.
Grade 10 students will sit for their exams from Oct 19 to 23.
Grade 12 exams are from Oct 26 to 30 and grade eight from Nov 2 to 5.
Gordon Secondary School principal George Kenega said the school had been conducting remedial classes on weekends, plus two additional periods on week days to help students cover the lessons they missed when schools were forced to close. “We cannot make up for the time that has been lost (because of school suspensions) but we are trying to ensure that students are prepared for the exams,” he said.
“We started remedial classes and additional periods after the lockdown.”
Kenega said Grade 10 students at Gordon Secondary had completed their trial exams last week and trial exams for Grade 12 students had commenced this week.
He said Grade nine and Grade 11 students would have their term three break but Grade 10 and 12 students would continue remedial classes during the holiday.
Kenega said the school received some funds from the Education Department at the end of last month.
De La Salle Secondary School principal Brother Anthony Pancras told The National that they received the latest subsidy funding on Sept 3.
Attempts by The National yesterday to get a comment from education secretary Dr Uke Kombra on the total amount of subsidy paid to schools were unsuccessful.