Supplies not reaching schools due to lack of transport

TEACHING and learning materials under the tuition fee free 30 per cent commodity component for Garaina schools are still at the district headquarters in Bulolo, district education manager John Tjipet says.
The materials were distributed by LD Logistics Company from Lae to the district headquarters between Jan 31 and Feb 4.
Tjipet said schools in other LLGs in the district received their supplies, but Waria LLG schools were still waiting for theirs due to problems with transport.
“Waria Valley in Garaina is inaccessible by road, with air being the only mode of transportation,” he said.
“The materials are for all primary schools in valley and mountain.
“They are stored in two rooms here (district office) while a few are in Wau.
“We are facing problems with the air transportation. Materials for students and teachers can last for at least six months.
“We are into week four of term two and schools in the area haven’t received their materials yet.”
Road access into the area ends at Sim village in Upper Waria and it is in a poor condition.
Kasangare Primary School senior teacher Bob Frisu said the school’s 21 boxes of materials in Bulolo were taken from the district office and stored at a relative’s house for safe-keeping.
“Our materials are still in Bulolo because of road conditions and high cost of vehicle hire. It is difficult for us to take the materials to school.”
Frisu said the idea of delivering materials to district headquarters for schools to pick up was not helping rural schools.
“I will try to hire vehicles next week to take materials halfway the road so parents can help carry them to school.”
Vehicles, mostly Land Cruisers are hired for K2,000 (one-way) to transport materials into the area.
A circular from Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra said the contractor was responsible for the delivery of materials to the district education office only.