Lae schools prepared to accommodate UOG students in transit

Two of Lae’s largest secondary schools in Bugandi and Lae Secondary are preparing to accommodate students from the University of Goroka [UOG] who are being evacuated following the recent unrest on campus.

NBC News visited both schools this morning and confirmed that preparations are well underway to receive hundreds of students expected to arrive later today.

Bugandi Secondary School Principal Dennis Mial said his school is ready to host between 700 and 800 students, with the surrounding community assisting since 6am to clean and prepare dormitories.

“Each dormitory can cater for 30 students, and we have four available,” Mial said. "We’ll also use classrooms in the old wing to accommodate the rest, bringing the total capacity to around 700, possibly 800 if needed.”

He said messing facilities are in place, but the school is relying on authorities to provide food rations for the arriving students.

Lae Secondary School Principal Christopher Raymond, who manages a day school, said his school can host 200 to 400 students and echoed similar calls for government support with meals.

Both schools are responding to the directive from Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP John Rosso, who called for temporary accommodation for UOG students transiting through Lae, particularly those from the Sepik and New Guinea Islands regions.

Meanwhile, Morobe Provincial Administrator Max Bruten acknowledged the efforts by various provincial governments to repatriate their students but urged them to coordinate closely with the Morobe Provincial Administration to ensure a safe and orderly process.