A grade 8 dux student’s dream of continuing his education was shattered after he was refused enrollment at two secondary schools in Lae due to his disability.
Patrick Maika, 18 years old of a mixed parentage of Morobe and Sepik couldn’t enroll at Bugandi and Lae Secondary schools despite being the dux of Mildfordhaven Primary School.
Patrick was born with a disability, his mother died and he was raised by his grandmother Esther Maika ‘mama’.
Despite his disability, the grandmother enrolled Patrick at Mildfordhaven Primary School doing grade 3 and completed grade 8 last year.
Patrick’s eagerness of learning saw him score high marks and he was rewarded by being announced by the school as the dux student from grade 3 to 8 securing him an offer to Bugandi secondary school.
Patrick‘s joy was short-lived as when he turned up to register his offer he was turned down at Bugandi early this year.
It was his disability that Bugandi Principal Dennis Miall decided not to enroll Patrick into the school.
Mr Miall’s assessment of Patrick’s situation saw him not to take him on board.
After assessing his situation and considering all the difficulties he would face, I decided not to take him onboard.
Mr Miall
He said the classroom set up at the school would make it difficult for Patrick to attend classes with his situation in a wheelchair.
I felt sympathy for the kid and the parents but I can’t do much, it is not that I do not want him, but it is for his own sake.
The situation doesn’t permit, our classroom set up which will make it difficult for him everyday with someone assisting to bring him up the stairs into the classroom and out again.
Therefore, after assessing the situation, I referred them back to the Provincial Education Board if they could assist find another school that will be more convenient and accessible with his situation.
Mr Dennis Miall, Bugandi Secondary School Principal
He said Lae Secondary was one option he recommended since the classrooms are down on the ground where can be easy access for Patrick.
I advise them to go back to the PEB and get an official letter to enroll at Lae Secondary.
Mr Miall
However, Patrick’s grandmother Esther said Lae Secondary also refused to enroll him since he was a transfer from Bugandi.
Mr Miall said with Patrick s situation, relevant education authorities must consider looking into this to address such situation.
The government must come out clearly to address this, especially children with disabilities who complete Primary level and are going onto the Secondary level.
The Government must build facilities for these children who can have access to learning and have full time trained teachers.
Dennis Miall
Mr Miall said there many of these children being left out due to such a situation.
Meanwhile Patrick’s grandmother Esther said they will further pursue the matter to court.
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