SELWYN COLLEGE CLOSES DOOR
BY BARNEY DEVESI
BY BARNEY DEVESI
Selwyn College will not be able to start their academic year and remain closed indefinitely an assessment team hired by the Church of Melanesia that visited the school revealed yesterday.
This was because the school is out of electricity, water and is mostly covered with inches of thick mud and piles of debris as a result of the flooding. Recent flooding at Selwyn College
This was because the school is out of electricity, water and is mostly covered with inches of thick mud and piles of debris as a result of the flooding. Recent flooding at Selwyn College
Related problems to the flooding are numerous and it is speculated that the school will be able to start no earlier than three weeks if things are not sorted out within the expected period.
Before any proper cleaning can commence, the schools generator which operate water pumps that supply water through tanks to the whole school needs to be fixed.
Electricians who attended to the problem yesterday said that the generator is missing an automatic voltage regulator.
This will now depend on whether this part is available in Honiara or have to be ordered overseas, which is a hindrance to the process.
It was also suspected that water has filled pipes of underground cables and all lines have to be double checked.
The school’s water pump needs replacement after being damaged by the flood and positive signs of being donated a new one have already been received.
Adding to that, the fear of an outbreak of water related diseases such as cholera and malaria was one of the reasons that will keep students from returning to begin their studies.
Sanitation problems are much of the same cause and require appropriate actions in order to avoid a further havoc.
With sewage tanks flooded and sewage pipes in place have been blocked by clay and silt deposits that entered through the toilets and Coliform bacteria (exists in human faeces) is widespread on the flooded surfaces, posing a major health risk.
All school buildings remain intact but the dormitories and staff houses that were affected were recommended for maintenance after yesterday’s assessment.
The big clean up and solving the many tasks ahead is said to begin this Saturday and the Church of Melanesia will be playing a major role in getting it done ahead of any assistance.
And with the weather easing into normalcy, it is hoped that the school can open its doors soon.
The school will however need the help of parents, guardians and supporters of the school to willingly contribute efforts to get the school running again.
Before any proper cleaning can commence, the schools generator which operate water pumps that supply water through tanks to the whole school needs to be fixed.
Electricians who attended to the problem yesterday said that the generator is missing an automatic voltage regulator.
This will now depend on whether this part is available in Honiara or have to be ordered overseas, which is a hindrance to the process.
It was also suspected that water has filled pipes of underground cables and all lines have to be double checked.
The school’s water pump needs replacement after being damaged by the flood and positive signs of being donated a new one have already been received.
Adding to that, the fear of an outbreak of water related diseases such as cholera and malaria was one of the reasons that will keep students from returning to begin their studies.
Sanitation problems are much of the same cause and require appropriate actions in order to avoid a further havoc.
With sewage tanks flooded and sewage pipes in place have been blocked by clay and silt deposits that entered through the toilets and Coliform bacteria (exists in human faeces) is widespread on the flooded surfaces, posing a major health risk.
All school buildings remain intact but the dormitories and staff houses that were affected were recommended for maintenance after yesterday’s assessment.
The big clean up and solving the many tasks ahead is said to begin this Saturday and the Church of Melanesia will be playing a major role in getting it done ahead of any assistance.
And with the weather easing into normalcy, it is hoped that the school can open its doors soon.
The school will however need the help of parents, guardians and supporters of the school to willingly contribute efforts to get the school running again.
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