For the past six years Pangobiru Community High School (CHS) in Northwest Choiseul has been battling an ongoing water crisis, a situation that continues to disrupt classes and affect the wellbeing of students and teachers.
School principal Mr Romuel Poqeava said the water crisis has affected the school since 2017, force classes to begin late, while on some days lessons are called off halfway through the day to allow teachers time to fetch water.
He said that although the school currently has two water tanks, they are not sufficient to meet the needs of the growing school population, as a result water shortages remain common during dry periods.
Poqeava added that the school relies on small springs, shallow wells and run off water from nearby hills as its only water source.
“These sources are unreliable and easily contaminated, especially during heavy rainfalls. Clean water is a basic need for any school, yet for many years we have struggled to provide this for our students,” he said.
However, the school is now appealing for support to help secure a funding for a sustainable and reliable water supply system.
The Pangobiru CHS serves more than 200 students from surrounding communities, and without urgent intervention the water crisis will continue disrupt education and poses health risk for both student and teachers.
BY GEHAZI SEKO
Solomon Star stringer, Taro
