Teacher: Teacher-student ratio increases with policy

By SALLY TIWARI
THE increase in the number of students compared to teachers is one of the many challenges teachers will face with the implementation of the tuition-free policy, a headmaster says.
Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School headmaster Bona Ine’e spoke his mind during the reissuing demonstration of basic teaching and learning materials.
Ine’e said there were 50 to 60 students per teacher, which was too many for the school to provide quality learning.
The accepted teacher-student ratio for effective learning to take place is understood to be one teacher to every 35 students.
No comments could be obtained from Education Department officials on the matter.
He said the launching marked the continuing partnership between the school and Trade Printers, which was issuing the school materials.
He said it showed that the 50% of funding released by the government into the school account had been put to good use.
Ine’e said each student from elementary to Grade 8, who received the learning materials, would sign a card with their parents and the teacher to confirm receipt. 
He challenged National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop to help the school in building its classrooms and providing teachers houses, which were part of school projects to be undertaken this year.
Parkop assured Ine’e he would look into the school’s need after the NCDC completed the construction of the school’s ablution block.
He challenged other NCD schools to follow the example of Holy Rosary Catholic Primary in maintaining the partnership with Trade Print, saying it was more accountable.
He said previously the NCD  education board directed schools to obtain materials from Trade Print.
He said, but this year, with the money being sent straight to the school account there was no control over how schools spent their money.
He said to date the NCDC had built 14 teachers’ houses, 66 classrooms and nine ablution blocks.
Parkop said to cater for the increasing number of students, his office had plans to fund the construction of a secondary school at 14-Mile, next to the Pacific Adventist University.
He said that school, to be called Koiari Park Secondary School, was among his priorities this year.
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