BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Beulah provincial secondary school has defended its rule of locking female students up at night in their dormitories.

School admin says they stand on the priority of providing for the girls’ security and preserving their right to education. Other perceived rights are deemed secondary, the school said.

The school was responding to Island Sun’s article last week which reported that a leading school in the Western province, without naming Beulah, was mistreating its female students by locking them up at night in their dormitories.

The toilets and shower rooms are outside, thus when the girls need to relieve themselves or other menstrual activities, they do so using buckets – a practice which is considered unhygienic.

Other concerns include unexpected and sudden dangers such as earthquake or fire.

Artheric Manase, form six coordinator of the School however maintains that the school rule was established in the best interest of the students’ academic future.

The rule was also created with the consent of the parents who were concerned about students’ mischief, Mr Manase explained during an interview over the phone yesterday.

“While I acknowledge the report, I want to explain the reasons behind this school rule. First, it’s based on discipline. There have been repeated incidents where male students went to female dormitory after lights out. There were also repeated reports reaching our office that female student went missing at night.

“We don’t know where they go and what the male students trying to do at girls’ dormitory late at night. What we do know is our responsibility to ensure our students abide by school rules for their own good,” Manase said.

He stressed that students nowadays are difficult to manage and the presence of mobile phones makes life ‘a living hell’ for teachers who ‘try their best to ensure students are well guided and guarded in and out of classroom’.

“As you know, most students in school everywhere have smart phones and we do have students with smart phones.

“We received reports that students used their phones to communicate and this is a huge challenge for us teachers.

“We want our students to reach their academic goals and not messing around. Education is the only way to a better future and we know that. This is why we are trying our best to give our student the best education and also discipline in our school,” Manase said.

He said the girls’ dormitories are locked at 10.30pm and opened at 5.30am.

Manase adds that the keys are often with female teachers who are always on alert every night to assist the female students.

“So yes, we have our female staffs looking after our female students. They are always on alert and at times visit the girls twice a night,” he said.

Manase said the school has a fence but it fails to protect the students.

He said male students can easily climb the fence and enter the girl’s dormitory at night.

Manase said the school is still improving its system to make sure students are protected while doing their studies.

He adds that the school is working closely with the Western Provincial government to improve the fence at the girl’s dormitory.

Manase reiterated that the school rule is established in the best interest of parents and the students’ academic journey.