SHP schools vow to improve

 FIVE secondary and seven high schools in Southern Highlands are prepared to improve falling education standards in the province.

Kutubu High School board chairman Dabura Kamuna, speaking on behalf of the other school boards, conveyed the message to Governor William Powi and members of his provincial executive council during a consultative meeting in Mendi yesterday.

Kamuna admitted that the standard of education in the province had dropped over the years.

He said several factors had contributed to the falling standard which could be addressed by Powi in his plans to improve education.

“With your leadership we will move this province forward and we are prepared and committed to make a change and compete with other secondary schools in the country like Port Moresby National High School, Gordons and other big and better schools in Port Moresby,” he said.

Kamuna said a lack of qualified teachers, teacher accommodation and student dormitories, lack of sufficient curriculum, lack of in-servicing, library and computer facilities were hindering the achivement of quality results in the province.

He also acknowledged the government’s free education policy that had seen a rise in enrolments this year.