Siassi High School gets uniforms after 20yrs

A TOTAL of 300 students of a remote school on Umboi Island, Siassi in Morobe, are the first to wear uniforms to school after more than 20 years.
The Siassi Lutheran High School in Tewai-Siassi has been through a lot of issues and challenges in the past but this year marked a new phase for the school.
Headmaster Bruce Nalau said the grade 9 and 10 boarding school was first established in 1976 as Gelem Lutheran High School, but was relocated to its current location in 1997 and renamed.
“Since 1997, students never wore uniforms – something that was important for any student at a school,” he said.
“We’ve seen the need to order uniforms since I was posted here in 2014, however, not much could be done during those years.
“I knew a local tailoring company back when I was principal at Grace Memorial Secondary School in Bulolo, and they decided to help us.
“They designed and sewed the uniforms.
“We got enough sets for all the students and the uniforms were launched on July 20.”
Nalau said this year, the high school would give out uniforms to students after enrolment and payment of project fees.
When asked regarding the tuition fee free (TFF) funding for the school he said there was always a general decrease in the past few years.
“However, this year, thanks to savings from term two, the school was fortunate to operate this term (term three),” he said.
“Student numbers are increasing every year, but thanks to our project fees also, we are okay.
“This year, the school should receive K50,000 for each quarter.
“For term two this year, we received only K20,000.
“Most of our expenses are on food, transport and administration costs.”
“We are still waiting for the term three TFF payment.
“We are thankful that parents are always providing us with garden produce each day for our mess.”
Nalau said the project fee last year was K400.
It was increased to K600 this year to cover the cost of the uniforms.