By DALCY LULUA
In a phone interview, Mr. Tonpi told Sunday Bulletin that MSN is the only institution in his district, however, the current face of the school’s infrastructures are deteriorating and becoming a concern to him.
He said all the infrastructures have been spoiled by the earthquake while other buildings are becoming old.
Mr. Tonpi said the school will need more than K20 million to fully renovate the infrastructures and make sure it looks like a school again.
“The Mendi Munhiu District Development Authority initially pledge K1.5 million already towards this exercis.
“On top of that, we got assistance of K2 million from the Southern Highlands Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor William Powi.
“We are also expecting a good amount of money from Kumul Petroleum Holdings and Limited (KPHL).
“So we are expecting around K10 million to start rebuilding the infrastructure of the School of Nursing,” he said.
“Apart from my other responsibilities, I decided to take this as my target to work on.
“I sent out letters to people and partners to help and rebuild, refurbish and build new infrastructure and make sure that the school gets into good shape.”
Meanwhile, the MP is also looking at installing new administration of the institution after the renovation exercise is done.
“From what the DDA heard, the administration of the school is dysfunctional by allowing students that are not fit to become nurses.
“Students who took social sciences subjects are enrolled there, grade 10 drop-outs from 5-10 years ago are enrolled too.
“This isn’t looking good when you have unqualified people that does not have the brains getting enrolled and sitting inside the classroom without anything in their head and they somehow graduate and sent to the hospital,” he said.
“I’ve already talked with the Secretary for the Higher Education and Minister responsible.
“I am recommending a new administration for the Mendi School of Nursing. Let’s put new people in and maybe see some changes,” he added.
“I am looking at both sides, the administration running of the school to improve on the learning and the quality of the output.
“Students who are taught there must be genuine and of quality.
“As a leader, I don’t want to see things happening in front my eyes and ignore that everything is okay.
“When you want to improve on the education standards, you have to start with almost everything.
“You have to look at teachers, students and their discipline part, behaviors of students as well as behaviors of teachers.”
