With schools nationwide now into the last term of the 2022 academic year, schools in Rabaul District continue with adjusted timetables workable and flexible for both teachers and students during the prolonged drought weather, East New Britain province is currently facing. District Education Coordinator Markus Tipepe when giving a report on the third quarter academic year said although the province had a bit of rainfall recently, schools in Rabaul district are still facing water shortage with many facing challenges to continue operations. He said the past 4 months and current ongoing dry season forced most of the schools to go into adjusted programs where all play schools finish classes at 10 am, elementary schools at 12pm and all primary and secondary schools at 2pm, on a daily basis. “This month will see the Grades 8, 10 and 12 sitting for their National Examinations. Grade 10s will sit for their exams next week, followed by Grade 12 and Grade 8 and schools have informed parents to allow their children to attend weekend remedial classes in preparation for the examanations,” the DEC said. “This dry spell has negatively impacted on students’ attendance, punctuality, food, water and additional burden on searching for water,” he said. Mr Tipepe said water cartage took place in the last 3 to 4 weeks assisting schools with water. He thanked the Rabaul Disaster Coordinator Joshua Wowo and his team for successfully carting water and upgrading existing water supplies to benefit most wards and schools. “We are now in the fourth term and I encourage schools to utilize whatever resources they have to see the year through,” he said. Meantime he also highlighted that applications for students submitted to benefit from the Rabaul District Tertiary Tuition Free Subsidy this year will be paid off once issues with district funds and Ombudsman Commission are eventually sorted out.