West New Britain’s Provincial Education Board remains uncertain over the issue of certain schools closing in the province during Terms 3 & 4 of 2023 without proper reports from the schools’ Board of Management or Board of Governors.
A couple of these schools included Kaliai High School and Gloucester Secondary School that had closed for reasons unknown whereas other schools in the province closed due to law & order issues.
WNB Provincial Education Board stated that teachers have been appointed to the school, have filled in their resumption of duty forms, and will be paid according to the position they occupy as supplied to the Teaching Services Commission.
The WNB Provincial Education Board is sending an urgent request to these schools to table a report explaining the reasons as to the school’s closure to the education office in Kimbe.
The education office stated that they will not allow teachers to get paid while not teaching in closed schools.
Prior to this a community leader, Mr. John Rave in Kove-Kaliai LLG, had sent a request to appropriate authorities including parents of students who attended Kaliai High School and Gloucester Secondary School to congregate and determine a way to reopen these two schools.
Meanwhile schools receiving GTFS have been instructed by the WNB Provincial Education Board to not collect school and project fees.
Any Head Teachers or Principals charging additional fees will be put off payroll.