School-aged children belong in classrooms, not working, says education official
A significant number of school-aged children across Hela Province are being denied their basic right to education, according to acting Hela education services director Joshua Steven.
Speaking on Saturday at the official opening of a new double classroom at Halimbu Primary School funded by BSP Financial Group Limited, Mr. Steven expressed deep concern that many children are missing out on formal schooling. Instead, they are being pulled into daily domestic duties or commercial activities with their families.
"Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the collective responsibility of every community member to ensure our children are in school," he said.
"Children should not be kept back in the village to assist parents with daily chores, sent into Tari Town to help relatives sell goods, or employed in local shops. Their proper place is inside a classroom," he urged.
Steven highlighted a forthcoming policy initiative aimed at curbing these practices. He said under the leadership of Hela Governor Philip Undialu and Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu, plans are underway to enforce strict parental accountability.
"The Hela Provincial Government is preparing to pass legislation that will allow authorities to arrest parents whose children are found roaming or working in Tari Town during school hours," he said.
While the legal framework is currently being finalized, Mr. Steven called on families to proactively send their children to school without waiting for statutory enforcement.
"The province's progress depends entirely on educating its young people, who represent Hela's next generation of leaders," Steven said.
"The province can no longer use past instability as an excuse. While ongoing tribal conflicts previously disrupted schooling, peace is returning to Hela as tribal fights cease and gun surrender programs progress."
With stability is taking root across the province, the provincial education director stressed that there is no longer any valid justification for keeping a child out of the classroom.