austraLasia
1575
Classes organised
for school children
COMORO, DILI: 6th June
2006 -- More refugees seek shelter at Don Bosco
Comoro as the situation in the city remains bad despite the presence of foreign
troops. At the latest, the official number taking refuge is over
13,000. But since the school children amongst them have a lot of spare
time on their hands, Fr Joao Roque Gutteres, the principal of St. Peter's High
school just a block away from the DB Comoro compound, organised classes for
primary, junior (pre-secondary) and senior (secondary) high school. He was
helped by teachers who are also refugees. He extended the invitation to
all students in the camp as well as those living nearby. More than 300
students from Grade 3 to III Year Senior High responded to his invitation and
attended the first day of classes. They would normally have been attending
various schools in the city.
Just 3 kilometres away gangs
fought almost the whole day and destroyed some houses, but classes went
on. Later in the morning, Australian troops visited the school, reassuring
the students. Soon afterwards a platoon of Malaysian soldiers with 2
armored-personnel carriers and a truck stationed themselves in the compound of a
nearby Protestant church, making it their camp for the next few days.
Their presence will ensure more security and sense of security for both teachers
and students.
More students are expected to enrol today,
as some did not know of this new initiative.
GLOSSARY
Refugee: being used here as a shorthand. Technically
they are 'internally displaced
persons'.
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