While most state schools throughout the country have already started their 2024 academic year, the same could not be said for Utmei Secondary School, who has deferred its registration for two major reasons: issues with water & electricity and urgent dormitory renovations. Utmei Secondary School’s Administration told PNG HAUSBUNG that currently the power and water supply issues are being addressed. “The school’s electricity supply has been out since September 2023. PNG Power is presently working on restoring it, which should happen, hopefully by the end of this week or next week.” “We only have a generator set as our power source.” “As for water, the school gets its water supply pumped from underground.” “We’d like these two issues to be fixed before we start the school year. By next week, classes should resume.” Additionally, the boys’ dormitories are currently undergoing renovation. In regard to the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy, the school stated that they had problems receiving the GTFS fees from 2023. “In term 3 and 4, we did not receive the full amount – normally we receive over K200, 000 in subsidy, which was in term 1 & 2, however in term 3 & 4 there was probably a miscalculation and we received only K36, 000 (third quarter) and K80, 000 (fourth quarter).” “These financial setbacks from last year have since affected us till now.” Registration according to the school’s administration for 2024 starts and ends as follows. • Saturday (3/02/2024): Grade 9s & 11s (Boarding students) • Sunday (4/02/2024): Grade 10s & 12s (Boarding students) • Monday (5/02/2024): All day students