Poor road delays start of classes

KASANGARE Primary School in the remote Waria local level government of Bulolo, Morobe, is yet to resume classes this year because of poor road conditions.
Ten teachers posted to the school this year. While enrolment did not start, more than 400 students were expected to register as it had 435 last year.
Head teacher Bob Frisu told The National that teachers “did not resume duty because of the deteriorating condition of the Wau to Garaina Road”.
“Most of us can’t travel back to the school because of the road condition, and we are still waiting for the road to be fixed so that Land Cruisers can travel there,” Frisu said.
He said continuous heavy rain since late December caused landslips and made the road difficult for vehicles to travel.
Frisu said last Wednesday the school hired a Land Cruiser to transport teachers, their families and cargo, and some school supplies such as roofing iron and bags of concrete.
“The truck dropped them off at Wisini in Biaru, where the road is impassable,” he said.
“I do not know if the teachers have made it to the school already or not because there is no communication network to call and confirm.”
Frisu said the teachers would have to walk for two days to get to the school with all the goods if they were lucky and people helped them.
The Wau to Garaina Road connects Wau Rural and Waria local level governments to Bulolo and Lae.
The Wau to Kasangare road was constructed in the early 1970s.
The 82km Kasangare to Garaina road is yet to be constructed.
Kasangare councillor Jack Pamon was worried by students missing classes.
“This road is the only access for education services to 27 elementary schools and six primary schools, including Kasangare, in the two LLGs,” he said.