By BERNARD NANDE
THE prolonged El Niño weather conditions have contributed to drought and other natural disasters, severely affecting communities, schools, businesses and government agencies across Southern Highlands Province.
Ponowi Primary School in Ialibu-Pangia District is among those affected, with its water tanks and taps running dry and disrupting normal school operations.
The Level 8 school has about 750 students and 30 teaching staff, including their families, and is regarded as one of the top-performing schools in the district.
The school recently installed four new water tanks, which were separately piped to provide water for students and teachers. However, the tanks have now dried up because of the prolonged dry conditions.
The water shortage is forcing the school administration to send students home at lunchtime, resulting in half-day classes and raising concerns over the impact on their learning.
The administration has also been hiring water trucks to refill the school tanks, placing an unexpected financial burden on the school’s limited funds.
At times, students are asked to bring water containers to school for drinking, while teachers’ families are forced to walk long distances to find clean water for drinking and cooking.
Headmaster Siro Yoko said the drought was severely affecting the school’s large student population and teaching staff.
He said several schools in the district were facing similar challenges and questioned when the provincial and national governments would step in to provide assistance.
“While delay is caused, the higher consequences of El Niño and drought [are] affecting schools and communities,” Mr Yoko said.