Malahang Technical Secondary School

There will be less interaction with teachers, and teachers will also have to work long hours to prepare lessons or mark papers.

The principal of the Malahang Technical Secondary School in Lae outlined these challenges as he struggles with the influx of Grade Nine students.

The Malahang Technical Secondary School in Lae, with a capacity of 200 Grade Nine students, has now registered 360 new students; with more parents and guardians lining up outside their administration to push their children in.

Lae, in Morobe Province, is currently experiencing what has been described as an “over-selection of Grade Nine students”.

With an improved performance of hundreds of Grade Eight students in their 2023 national examinations, secondary schools in Lae are now unable to cater for the large number of Grade Nine intakes.

Principal Winstanly Taomba believes the era of neglect is almost over, with the recent opening of a state-of-the-art K1.2 million trades building.

The building was funded by taxpayers of Lae City through the Lae City Authority, in partnership with the Ahi Hope Foundation.

Principal Taomba said with the new double-storey complex, they now have ample space for their mechanical trade classes of auto electrical, motor mechanic, panel beating and spray painting, welding and metal fabrication.