A remote primary school in Morobe Province is facing closure after its only reliable transport route — the Imane Airstrip — was shut down due to safety concerns. According to Head Teacher Mrs. Nosalyn Yalambing Agula of Imane Primary School, SIL Aviation has suspended its flights after pilots flagged serious safety risks. The airstrip lacks enough cone markers needed for safe landings, leaving the community stranded. “SIL says we need 18 cone markers, but we only have three. Without those, pilots can’t land safely. This means no more flights, and no more supplies,” Mrs. Agula explained. For years, Imane Primary has depended on air transport for school materials, food, and medical items. The process is expensive — trucks must be hired to move supplies to Ayura in the Eastern Highlands, followed by a K5,900 charter flight to Imane. Now, that lifeline has been cut. “Our school receives only basic materials from the Supply Office. We have to buy everything else — markers, pens, pencils — with help from students’ contributions,” she said. The school recently reached Level 6 status and has 10 approved teaching positions, eight of which are currently filled. Despite limited funding through the Tuition Fee Free (TFF) program, Mrs. Agula oversaw the construction of four staff houses, which were set to be officially opened on July 4, with the Deputy Prime Minister expected to attend. But with the airstrip out of use, the event may be cancelled — and the school could soon shut down due to lack of supplies. Communication is another major barrier. Imane has no mobile network coverage. The school uses radio messages relayed through CRMF in Goroka to communicate with airlines and other support services. During the rainy season, even radio signals become unreliable. “The only way in, now is a two-day walk-through mountains and rivers. It’s not safe, and it’s not realistic for carrying school materials,” Mrs. Agula said. The head teacher has made repeated appeals to authorities for help but says she has not received any clear direction. She is now calling on government departments, especially in Works and Education, to urgently restore air access to the school. “Right now, I’m the only government worker they see out there. The community depends on me. I’m doing everything I can, but I can’t do this alone,” she said. The people of Imane are pleading for national attention to ensure their children’s education does not come to a standstill.