Porgera Secondary School in Enga Province came under attack on Friday morning where a duplex teachers’ house was burnt down as well as the destruction of all twenty seven teachers’ houses.
Many of the teachers’ properties were stolen during the destruction causing teachers and staff to flee.
Deputy Principal of Porgera Secondary, Mr. Amos Amail, says the attack had nothing to do with the National General Elections, but as an opportunity for culprits to cause havoc.
He stated that whilst police personnel are busy with elections, the culprits have taken the opportunity to do just that.
He said most of the teachers from the Province travelled to their respective districts and villagers to cast their vote when the incident occurred whilst those from other provinces fled the campus elsewhere.
“The culprits come from the nearby villages who had supposedly planned to rob the school and cause destruction. These are also the very same people involved in the continuous tribal fights that usually takes place near our school.”
“Prior to the destruction of our school, the opportunists have affected the students’ studies with their never ending tribal fights, causing students to miss classes. And now with the elections going on, is the perfect time for them to cause trouble.”
Students are scheduled to resume classes this week, however with the situation now, the students will be away from school for a while, according to Amail.
He further stated that he has reached out to the Education Director of Enga to look into this in the hope that a solution is found in regards to the teachers and staff place of residence.
He said that nothing can be done at this time except wait on the Education Director as to what steps can be taken next.”
Amail expressed his disappointment on what the situation has put them through and with matters worse that no police personnel is around to assist has made the situation worse for them.
“The teachers and staff have been displaced for now with no properties or belongings with them, except the clothes on their backs.”