![]() Over 1000 residential students at the University of Papua New Guinea say their lives are at a higher risk following the announcement of NCD's positive COVID-19 case. This is because there is no proper mending of gates in some parts of the campus, shortage of security personnel, no balance meal being served at the mess, including no proper testing facilities like infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, gloves and face masks distributed to students. Since the suspension of classes on March 16th 2020, residential students have been staying on campus for almost a month now, which they believe their lives are at a higher risk because of the recent confirmed case of COVID-19 in Port Moresby last week. Chairman of UPNG Students COVID-19 response team, Adrian Taranu said their safety and social wellbeing cannot be controlled due to those problems. “This coronavirus gives no chance to anyone, once it affects us, we are dead. Our lives are important, we can still continue our education when this situation is contained,” he said. He explained that if those problems are fixed, like the mending of gates, increase security personnel, more garden foods to boost students’ immune system, increase of WiFi coverage to each residential halls including usage of the school bus, ambulance and clinic to be operating daily, would keep the students safe on campus. According to secretary of students’ response team Kim Roary, a recent survey conducted at the campus last week indicated that about 80% of residential students wanted to go home. “Most students want to be at home with their parents which they say is much safer than being on campus,” he said. He said that blended learning facilities such as online classes or learning is required should the University administration still want to house the residential students on the campus. Vice Chancellor Professor Frank Griffin told the students during a brief meeting held at forum square on Friday, that an urgent council meeting would be held today Monday 20th of April, and an alternate decision reached would be made known to them(students). Pro-vice chancellor of academic and student affairs Professor Paul Fleming, also clarified that UPNG has no proper online system that would cater for students’ learning during this pandemic. He said it would take some three to four months to process the online learning system. FM100/PNGEducationNews Next :All Schools Throughout PNG To Resume On 27th April : Manning Comments are closed.
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