Parents and guardians of students attending schools in Lower Watut in Huon Gulf district of Morobe, have raised concerns over the safety of their children regarding the fast-flowing Watut river.
A clear indication of students’ safety in relation to the Watut river was seen in students’ attendances in schools along the Watut river over the years.
This year, almost the majority of students withdrew from their studies following continuous rain and floods in the area.
At Wawas primary school, the majority of the students did mass withdrawal without any formal arrangements that instigated inspection and investigation to schools along the area.
Alipso Garap, a community spokesman of Jimin village said students’ attendances over the years have been affected by Watut River.
“Our kids withdraw from schools every year when it floods,”
“Watut river is fast and is risky. We have dug out canoes overturned by floods with loads of cargoes and passengers over the years, ”
“Some cargoes go missing, passengers lose their properties, and sometimes they drown,” Garap said.
Garap said communities and students really need foot bridges to help relief daily challenges they face in the area.
Wawas primary school board chairman Awateng Kado said students from his area withdraw from studies when the flood continues, ”
“Students start to lose interest on their studies when they take more than three days off from attending schools.”
“Taking three or four days off eventually leads to students losing interest from studies.”
“We have no choice, but we follow how the situation is on the ground. If the education division in the province, our MP or governor, can help build foot bridges along the river linking schools, will greatly relieve our kids’ daily challenges to attend to schools,” Kado said.
Wampar Local Level Government (LLG) primary schools inspector, Buam Damap is aware of the situation and has discussed amicable ways with parents and the school board of management on how communities and kids would have access to schools safely.
Damap said recommendations will be made to the LLG council president, the district administration, and the member for parliament, Jason Peter to look for ways on creating better and safer ways for students to have access to and from schools on a daily basis.
“I will do recommendations to responsible people who are in authority to consider building bridges.”
“Building bridges will be up to people in authority,” Damap said.
Damap said a primary school in the area, Wawas is on temporary suspension await response for authorities to look for ways to connect schools with bridges.