Many schools in the country will resume formal classes next week, senior education officials say.
Education advisers for Milne Bay and New Ireland confirmed to The National that this week, which was week one of the first term, would be dedicated to registrations and enrolments while waiting for the Government’s tuition fee free (TFF) subsidy to be paid.
New Ireland education adviser Apelis Benson said classes could not start without proper student registration and enrolment.
He said, therefore, all schools in his province would aim to complete registrations and final enrolments by the end of the week and start the academic year next week.
Benson said there was also insufficient funds to start formal classes and hoped that the outstanding TFF balance from last year, as well as the new subsidy, would be paid this week.
Milne Bay education adviser Roma Tuidam shared similar concerns.
Whilst awaiting the funds and allowing registrations to continue, the provincial education board has assisted schools both on the mainland, in Alotau town, and on the outer islands with minor maintenance.
Most of the issues are minor and administrative so I have sent my officials out to the rural areas to see that schools get whatever little help they need with maintenance before classes resume next week.
Tudiam
Tuidam also clarified reports regarding Hagita Sacred Heart Secondary saying a contractor had been engaged to fix the school’s faulty generator to restore electricity and water supply.
The National also spoke to head teachers and principals in other provinces, including the National Capital District who advised that they were also busy with registrations and would continue throughout the week.