Western schools need classrooms, dormitories: Principal

SCHOOLS in Western are in dire need of good classrooms, staff quarters and dormitories, a teacher says.
The chairman of the province’s school principals’ group, Ipisa Wanega, said “years of neglect by the government” had led to the poor state of the infrastructure for schools.
He said most of the elementary and primary schools were located in isolated areas and infrastructure needed to be improved.
He supported a recent call by Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto, pictured, for the Government to release the Ok Tedi Mining’s Community Assistance Programme 30 per cent equity money to improve the infrastructure. Wanega is the principal of the Aweba Secondary School in Balimp.
Some of the schools in need of help include Aveba Secondary School, Balimo Technical Vocational School, Balimo Technical Vocational School, Morehead High School, and the list goes on including Primary, Community and Elementary School, he said.
He said the money would be used to upgrade and build infrastructure for schools, health centres and Government posts.
“Governor Awi Yoto has a vision to change Western. People have suffered enough.
“Tons of gold have been mined in OK Tedi and 33 percent equity for landowners is parked there.”