Nawaeb School Attack: Four Arrests Made, But Erosion of Respect Remains Deep Concern

The brutal attack on female students at Nawaeb Lutheran Secondary School in Morobe Province sends a chilling message across Papua New Guinea.

The confirmation by Morobe Provincial Police Commander Jacob Singura of four student arrests is a crucial step towards justice, yet it barely scratches the surface of the deeply troubling issues exposed by this horrific incident. Nine students, including a head boy, sustained knife wounds in a dormitory attack by armed men, highlighting a terrifying breach of what should be a safe haven.

This incident immediately raises urgent questions about the state of security in our boarding schools.

How can parents entrust their children to these institutions if their dormitories can be invaded by armed individuals, seemingly with ease? What measures are currently in place to protect students during vulnerable hours, such as night study? Are school perimeters adequately secured? Are there sufficient, trained security personnel on campus, and are they equipped to respond to such threats?

The fact that a group of armed men could enter a female dormitory, threaten students, steal their belongings, and then inflict violence before fleeing, speaks to a grave failure in existing security protocols. This isn’t an isolated incident, with broader security concerns in PNG boarding schools frequently highlighted in reports. The government, school administrations, and communities must collectively re-evaluate and invest in robust security infrastructure and personnel to ensure the physical safety of our children.

Beyond the immediate physical security, the Nawaeb attack lays bare a more insidious problem: the gradual decline in respect for institutions that were once revered as pillars of society. Nawaeb Lutheran Secondary School, like many long-standing educational institutions in PNG, represents hope, opportunity, and a pathway to a better future. Yet, this incident, allegedly involving both students and outsiders, suggests a disturbing disregard for the sanctity of learning environments.

What has led to this erosion of respect? Is it a breakdown in community values, where schools are no longer seen as sacred spaces to be protected by all?

Is it a reflection of wider law and order challenges in PNG that bleed into every facet of society, including educational institutions? When individuals, whether from within the school or the surrounding communities, feel empowered to launch such a violent assault, it signifies a profound societal failing. It underscores a diminishing appreciation for education itself and the tireless efforts of teachers and staff who dedicate their lives to nurturing the next generation.

PPC Singura’s appeal to surrounding communities to respect learning institutions is poignant, but it must be met with tangible action. This attack is a wake-up call for communities to reassert their ownership and protection of schools.

It demands a collective introspection: how do we rebuild the social fabric that once inherently safeguarded these vital institutions? The future of Papua New Guinea hinges on a secure and respectful environment for its youth to learn and thrive. The Nawaeb attack is not just a police matter; it’s a national crisis of conscience that demands urgent, comprehensive, and collaborative solutions.