Boarding students attending Cameron Secondary School have been asked to switch to being day students because the school cannot cater for their upkeep due to lack of funds.
“The government school fee subsidy that we have received is not enough to cover operational costs.”
“We received the 1st quarter payment of the school fee subsidy but we are yet to receive the 2nd quarter subsidy.”
“As soon as there is money available and we are able to buy food supplies then we will take them back on campus,” said the acting principal of the school, Ms Shirley Apaio.
Boarding students that have relatives in town have already transitioned to being day students while only a few students that have come in from the outer islands still remain within the school campus.
She added that a good number of parents haven’t completed paying their parental components of the school fees which is also one of the factors that is affecting the school’s operations.
“Parents have become too reliant on the government to pay the schools and haven’t been paying their portion of the fees.”
“If parents were up to date with payments of their component, then that will keep us going until such time when the government component comes in,” Ms Apaio.
She further added that due to lack of funds, stationery supplies have also depleted and this will be affecting students’ lessons as teachers don’t have the necessary supplies to prepare the students lessons and assessments.
However, despite all these setbacks, normal classes are still ongoing for the students attending the school.
Meanwhile, Ms Apaio said that she has received information that the 3rd quarter subsidy has been paid to Milne Bay Trust and should be released in the next few weeks to the school.