Bugandi Secondary School

All these came to an end when, under the leadership of Member for Lae, John Rosso, a new management was put in place in 2022, headed by principal Dennis Miall.

The school jumped back onto the radar this year when it ranked 38^th out of 211 schools for having 84 of its students secure spaces in tertiary institutions; 84 out of 497 Grade 12 students from Bugandi.

This may not seem like much, but it is a great leap for a school that had to slowly make its way up from the ground.

Commending the achievements of Busu, Bugandi and Lae Secondary School, Rosso highlighted that Lae Secondary sent 235 students, Busu Secondary with 225 students, both securing 4th and 6th positions in tertiary institution entries among 211 schools nationwide.

Bugandi's significant improvement with a Mean Rating Index (MRI) of 41.16 in 2022, compared to 51.75 the previous year, resulted in 84 students entering tertiary institutions, ranking 38th nationally.

The story of him being turned away due to the lack of inclusive facilities has led to a response from the Member for Lae, John Rosso, who has instructed contractors to build temporary ramps at a Bugandi classroom allocated for Patrick.

Contractors will be working on that over the school holiday and will be ready by the beginning of next term.

“The school administration has been notified to provide assistance to Patrick on his school work and other necessary assistance,” said Rosso.

He said the project is wholly funded by the taxpayers of Lae City through the Lae City Authority (LCA) under the education sector.

“There has been great shift in the attitude of students and teachers at Bugandi Secondary School in the last 12 months under the commendable leadership and guidance of Principal Mr Dennis Miall,” said Rosso.

“No more fighting amongst students and against other schools. No more half uniforms. No more classes disruptions due to water and electricity outages as a result of non-payment of accumulated bills. 

Solar lights were recently installed in the school, with LCA saying more solar lights will be fitted.

“Together with the installation of solar lights, work on new school fencing has also commenced last week, and a K200,000 cheque was presented to the school a week ago to meet the cost of its operational expenses,” said LCA.

“A further K300,000 will be presented soon.

“The school will also receive a brand new 25-seater coaster bus.

These workers are part of more than 2,000 unemployed men and women engaged through the program, an initiative of Lae MP and LCA chairman John Rosso, to provide a stable income for those who cannot afford to find a job.

Most of the participants are widows and mothers.

Lae MP, who is also the State Minister for Lands and Physical Planning, wants to see Bugandi regain its lost pride and identity.

This is the warning from the Lae police boss, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, following the recent school fight between Lae and Bugandi secondary.

“My warning to the students is, if you take the streets again to start up any more of this nonsense, you will end up behind bars,” he says.

“Police have given enough opportunities for you to change and stop this.

“You don't understand that your actions could have led to damage to many properties, looting of shops, damage to vehicles of the travelling public, serious injuries and even death.

A fight broke out after school at Eriku again, where a couple of Lae Secondary School boys received injuries. Police were at the location and managed to disperse them.

More than 200 male students from Bugandi secondary came out of school and marched towards the Salamanda way around 8am yesterday morning.

A Police Sector Patrol Unit was there and tried to stop them at Bugandi roundabout and get them back to school but they (students) refused to listen and headed straight for Eriku.