SCHOOL COMMUNITY REP RAISE CONCERNS ON POOR GOVT SERVICES

Community Representative to Wawin National School of Excellence Governing Council Board, Mr. Jim Kelly has raised concerns over poor government services linking Morobe’s top secondary school.

Kelly, who represents surrounding communities of Wawin National School of Excellence outside Lae city in Morobe province, said road and electricity services connecting the Wawin area are very bad.

“As schools throughout the nation are preparing to commence academic calendar for this year, the road linking Morobe’s top secondary school is in a bad condition.”

“Lack of government’s attention on the road has seen flooding from a nearby creek causing damages and sometimes impassable for vehicles.”

“Our school vehicles will negotiate the worst road condition on a daily basis, and I fear costs on meeting mechanical problems and chances of criminals taking advantages on the road condition to attack students, parents or school staff who travel to do school runs.”

Further concerns were also raised based on an experience that occurred last year where criminals took advantage over the bad road conditions and held the principal at gun point in which they stole K15, 000 cash as well as other valuable items.

“Apart from the National School of Excellence accessing this road, we have Morobe Provincial Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Bismark Farm, Santos PNG and PNG Biomas as well who are accessing this road.”

In addition, electricity services connecting the area are also in a very poor condition and with that, Kelly stated that almost half of the school’s budget goes to cover fuel and the standby generator services to maintain annual academic activities.

“We have plans to put funds into different activities, however, due to constant power blackouts, we repeat on putting funds on maintaining electricity flow in the school campus.”

Kelly added that Wawin was ranked second in the country in terms of academic performances, and the governing board is concerned on having a smooth flow of academic activities this year without any hiccups to maintain the results.