New Erima High School formerly Primary School currently has three projects occurring simultaneously despite facing constant lack of funding and support from the government.
The school which had recently upgraded its status is now accommodating grades 9 and 10.
Headmaster of New Erima Primary Division, Mr. Yola Kipungi, informed PNG HAUSBUNG in an interview today that the school is working on constructing double classrooms for Grade 9s, an ablution block for the high school division as well as an assembly grandstand with a hall despite having very little to no funding at all.
He also said that the Tuition Fee Free Policy has put the school at a disadvantage.
“The Government keeps saying free education and has implemented policies to stop parents from paying fees but the government is very slow in delivering funds to support the school.”
He added that the latest double classroom built was done with the help of parents.
“Parents contributed K200 to help us construct the classroom.”
“But then the Tuition Fee Free Policy was introduced to prevent parents from paying any fees.”
“Parents took advantage of that opportunity and brought their kids to get an education but we don’t have the resources to cater for a lot of students.”
“In spite of this, we still take in students because it’s hard to say no.”
Kipungi is urgently calling on the government to send necessary funding to schools by the first week of each term as it is very difficult to administer academic affairs without enough funding.
New Erima recently had more than 100 of their students successfully sit for their Grade 8 National Examinations as well as having their first batch of Grade 10s who sat for their exams two weeks ago.
The school will also be looking at employing more teachers in the coming years.