Late exam papers put remote schools at risk

Manalos Aviation is urging the National Department of Education to deliver Grade 8 examination papers earlier after completing deliveries to 199 schools across Morobe Province under a tight schedule.

Chief Executive Officer Captain Jurgen Ruh said the papers arrived later than in previous years, leaving limited time to reach remote schools before examinations began on Monday, October 19.

“The papers came very late. I think this year they came even a day later than last year,” Captain Ruh said.

Manalos Aviation completed deliveries late Sunday evening, covering 128 locations across the province. Its BK117 helicopter landed at 42 locations, while a police helicopter reached 86 locations. Some schools received examination papers through bulk drop-offs for further distribution.

Ruh said Manalos Aviation had delivered examination papers in Morobe for 17 years, but the late arrival of materials continued to put pressure on the operation.

The teams completed the deliveries after two consecutive days of favourable weather, working from 7am to 5pm.

“We were lucky that we had two days of great weather, which you can't bank on,” Ruh said.

He said bad weather or aircraft problems could have delayed deliveries, particularly to schools in remote areas with limited road access.

Ruh is calling on the department to provide examination papers and confirmed school lists at least 10 days before examinations begin.

He said earlier delivery would give aviation crews enough time to plan flight routes, account for changes to school lists and schedule operations around weather conditions.

“Just bring us the exam papers early enough, please. Just bring them earlier,” he said.

Ruh said timely delivery was critical to ensuring students in remote communities received their examination papers and could sit their examinations alongside other students across the province.

Manalos Aviation will also assist with collecting completed examination papers for marking, with materials from some areas consolidated at collection points before being transported.

Ruh said improved logistics planning was needed to reduce pressure on aviation crews and ensure examination papers reached remote schools well before examinations began.