The students at the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) in the Gazelle district of East New Britain province have been urged to always respect the rule of law.
This call was made by ENB Governor, Michael Marum during an emergency visit to the school on Tuesday morning after the students’ boycott demanding response to their ongoing issues.
Governor Marum was accompanied by the Acting Provincial Administrator Levi Mano, Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector, Januarius Vosivai and UNRE Senior Management Team (SMT) to receive the students’ petition.
Whilst addressing the students, Governor Marum stated that what has happened already inside the school campus is gone, however reminded the students to always follow the law for future sake.
“East New Britain is a peaceful place and with the current increase of law and order in the province the police and the provincial government and relevant stakeholder are working together to address these issues.”
He advised the students that he will work together with them to communicate with the appropriate leaders in Port Moresby for them to come to the province to receive their petition.
“I am here to serve everyone, and I urge you the students to deal with the issues in a proper way in order to get the results of what you want.”
The student riot started on Monday evening of this week where four school vehicles belonging to the institution were burnt down to ashes by the angry students.
Meanwhile, UNRE Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Israel Yafai, said that the student riot came about due to unresolved issues in the school such as the courses offered by the UNRE that are not captured by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology (DHERST).
This he said was especially the new School of Environment and Climate Change, which has seen many students enrolling for this course as self-sponsored.
Yafai further stressed that these issues need to be sorted out by the school administration and has also claimed that they have been brought to the attention of the school Senior Management Team however, nothing has been done to address their issues, which has now resulted in the boycott.
Moreover, the students have refused to present their petitions to the Governor and have demanded the presence of the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology to be present at the school for them to address their issues.
The students have also demanded that the school Senior Management Team vacate their offices.