SCHOOL OVERCROWDED, NEEDS HELP

Raikos Secondary School in Rai Coast District of Madang province is facing growing pressure as more students enroll each year.

Deputy Principal for Administration, Bangan Siwo, says the school has more than 1,000 students from Grade 9 to Grade 12 this year. But there are only 30 teachers — three short of the number needed.

This means one teacher is looking after around 56 students.

Subjects like IT, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Music are not taught. Mr. Siwo says this is because the school does not have the right classrooms or facilities.

He said the general classrooms are enough, thanks to former Rai Coast MP, the late James Gau. But the dormitories are old and need fixing. So do the toilets and the school mess.

The mess needs an extension and basic items like tables.

There’s no hall for gatherings and no special buildings for arts or music.

Mr. Siwo said desks and chairs are always in short supply due to rising enrollment. However, there are enough learning materials. Teachers use books, internet, and the Standard-Based Curriculum to prepare lessons.

The school runs on a 95 KVA diesel generator. But it’s now struggling to meet the school’s growing power needs. Water comes from a mountain spring and is stored in tanks. This system was built with help from the European Union in the late 1990s.

Most students are boarders and live in school dormitories. Only a few live close enough to walk to school.

Transport remains a big challenge. The school depends on outboard motors to bring in food, fuel, and school supplies. It costs about K120 to bring in a 20kg bag of rice.

Mr. Siwo said the school is generally safe. There is no fence, but there are casual security guards. He also thanked the local community for helping to keep the school safe and clean.

Bad weather, especially rough seas during heavy rain, can stop supplies from arriving on time.

Mr. Siwo said most students know why they are in school and are focused on learning. But some lose focus. The school enforces strict rules and works closely with parents to deal with discipline.

There are no new support programs. The last big help came from the late James Gau under a Public Private Partnership program. That support built two 4-in-1 dormitories and classrooms.

The nearby Ramu Nickel Mine has not provided much support. It only donated a tractor more than 10 years ago, which no longer works, and two rusty containers.

Mr. Siwo is calling on district and provincial leaders to visit the school. He says urgent needs include staff housing, a computer lab, a proper hall, new dormitories, and a school vehicle to replace the broken-down truck.

Despite all the challenges, Mr. Siwo says Raikos Secondary is lucky to have some of the best infrastructure in the province. This includes a science lab and a Wi-Fi system, both funded by the National Department of Education.

He wants the school to be upgraded to a School of Excellence. He believes this change will attract more government attention and funding.

“This change in status will open the eyes of the authorities and speed up development,” Mr. Siwo said.