THE Central Islands Provincial Education Authority (CPIEA)is urged to take disciplinary actions against the principal of Dota Community High School.
This was in light of reported absenteeism from work by principal Joseph Hangi for the past six months.
A parent told the Solomon Star Mr Hangi has been absent from duties for the past six months, but still receiving his salary.
“We call on the principal education officer Charles Kasuni to take disciplinary action against Mr Hangi immediately,” the parent who asked not to be named said.
“His continuous absence has affected the running of the school as well as the education of our children.
“The principal’s action has set a bad precedence for others and this must be stopped and discouraged.
“It is not fair to see disciplinary action taken against ordinary teachers while Mr Hangi has not been treated the same way,” the parent said.
But when contacted, principal education officer Mr Kasuni said what they know is Mr Hangi was absent only when he was away to attend meetings arranged by the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) in Honiara.
Mr Hangi was a member of the SINTA board.
“We received reports of his regular trips away to Honiara, but this was mainly to attend important SINTA meetings,” Mr Kasuni explained.
He said Mr Hangi was at the school during the beginning of the first and second semesters of this year.
However, one of the staff at the school,who asked not to be named, said Mr Kasuni’s explanation does not hold water.
“I would like to make it clear that for the last semester Mr Hangi arrived at the school for only two weeks during the month of May,” the teacher said.
He said from the last semester, the principal was at the school for only two weeks to retire the school grants and then left until today.
“This is not surprising because last year he was away most of the time, only returning to the school in August and then disappeared again until May this year,” the teacher said.
He said the school is currently running low with basic learning materials.
“We can’t do anything because the principal is not here to explain the financial situation of the school.
“What we do now is just make do with what we have to ensure the school remains operational until the end of the year.
“We also called on the Director of Teaching Service to see to this issue,” he said.
The director was at a panel review when the Solomon Star called his office.
By PETER IROGA
