Rector of the Don Bosco Technical Secondary School (DBTS) in Port Moresby Fr Pedro Sachitula says they have an obligation to the community and so will accept female students from next year.
This was the response to a student strike yesterday in the all-boys school after the administration made an announcement to accept females next year and beyond.
Fr Pedro said the decision was “necessary” because the school was situated in a suburb area in the city and it needed to be “inclusive of both genders”.
We have been considering this for years.
We are in an area where there are also girls without any opportunities left out.
That is why we have to make changes to allow fair opportunities for girls as well.
Fr Sachitula
Fr Pedro said that he was aware of the students’ strike against the administration decision, but he called on the students to “look beyond” and see where the country would be in the future, and not to base their judgement on emotions.
Meanwhile, a group of school representatives told The National yesterday that they boycotted classes because the decision was done without any consultation with the students body.
There was no consultation with us (students).
We were caught by surprise after we saw the notice (a circular on Wednesday) and heard of the announcement this morning (Thursday).
Wau Dingam students’ spokesperson
He said they had confronted the administration to express their views but the administration told them that “the gate is open” if they were considering to transfer out.
The students said that their concern was not against the girls but against their administration and the decision.