Sepik students enrolled under Bogia education division

 By DOROTHY MARK

THE Bogia education division in Madang is to provide education for about 500 East Sepik students who had been missing classes for nearly six years.

The Aion Oprar Primary School at Pangin village, Porapora in the Marrienburge local level government had been neglected by the East Sepik education department and reached across the border to seek the help of the Bogia district.

The school is now registered in Bogia and teachers recruited from Madang.

Head teacher Teddy Asuak said he made several attempts to have the school registered in the Angoram education division but was given a run around.

“God has answered my prayers and help came from Bogia. I thank the Madang government for assisting the 500 Sepik children,” Asuak said.

Bogia district education adviser Philip Morrison said he was happy to have the school registered despite being in a different province.

“We are all from PNG, I was appointed to carry out government duties and if East Sepik can’t provide that for you, Bogia and Madang will,” Morrison said at the opening of the school last weekend.

More than 400 students registered to attend Aion Oprar were from Singrin, Mapuk, Pangin, Arango, Akayan, Umbos, Binam and Jetta.

The Wangan and Watam primary schools in the area were both run down and would be feeding Aion Oprar with upper primary school student. 

The school currently runs elementary to grade six classes.

Students who lost interest in education along the way have all returned to continue, most of them now married.

“Students who gave up school six years ago and got married are now in class, some with their wives and husbands,” Asuak said.

Asuak said students were asked to fill in forms with strict conditions that would guide them to successfully complete their education.

The school has received K41,000 subsidy and an additional K10,000 from the Bogia education division is on its way to build a permanent school administration block.

East Sepik Governor Sir Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has been urged to support the school which is in his home territory.