Like their counterparts, the Grade 12 students of Karkar Secondary School in Madang are also sitting for exams. However, while examinations are progressing successfully, the school’s ongoing issues are still present despite constant communication with higher authorities. Principal Mr. Jim Kaboanga stated that due to its location away from the mainland, running the establishment is quite costly. “When it comes to travelling and transportation of exam papers, since the school is on an island, people take a one-hour trip out from town, and then you have to take another boat for another one-hour trip to the school.” “And it doesn’t help that the fuel prices have currently skyrocketed.” “Sometimes we have to hire boats and if that’s not possible, we have to use ships.” Mr. Kaboanga added that the school’s heavy reliance on the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) also places an extra financial burden on the school. “The GTFS policy prevents the school from charging additional fees to parents; however, the subsidy itself is not being paid in full.” “We’ve tried seeking assistance from the district authorities but so far our cries have fallen on deaf ears.” The school is currently accommodating 187 Grade 12 students for examinations - a decrease from the 235 students that enrolled at the beginning of this year.