BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
CHIEFS, elders, and women of Marava Community in Ranongga Island, Western Province have issued a heartfelt call to the government and education authorities to urgently register Malole Primary School as a stand-alone institution.
The call reflects growing concerns among community members who believe that formal registration will help address long-standing challenges faced by students and teachers.
Rallyn Mary, a teacher at the school, said the upgrade and registration of Malole Primary School will enable it to access direct support and resources that are often directed to its mother school, Pienuna Primary.
“At the moment, Malole Primary is an extension of Pienuna School, meaning most priorities in terms of development always focus on Pienuna. “We receive some support from our mother school, but it’s not enough,” she explained.
Located in the heart of Marava, the school serves three surrounding communities — Malole, Rava, and Patu — providing classes from grades one to five. Despite the dedication of its teachers and communities, many parents still send their children to Pienuna due to Malole’s lack of facilities and resources.
Mary said the school operates with only two teachers, two classrooms, and one staff house.
“We need proper water and sanitation facilities, more classrooms, and teaching materials. “At the moment, there are no toilets for students and teachers,” she said.
Mary said the community’s hopes were briefly lifted when their Member of Parliament promised to build a new staff house.
“We carried the gravel and prepared the building site, but months later, the area is now covered with grass as we continue to wait for assistance,” she said.
With a growing population and increasing demand for education, community leaders believe the registration of Malole Primary School is no longer optional but necessary.
“Our children deserve the same opportunities as others. If Malole becomes a registered school, it will open doors for better support, infrastructure, and a brighter future for our young learners,” Mary said.
For now, the people of Marava, Rava, and Patu continue to wait, holding on to hope that their small school will one day stand tall on its own.
*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)
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