09/06/2026
*OPEN STATEMENT CALLING FOR JUSTICE*
_Re: Mr. Alois Longrie MBE – 47 Years of Service to Southern Highlands Education_
To:
1. Secretary, Department of Education, PNG
2. Provincial Administrator, Southern Highlands Province
3. Chairman & Members, SHP Provincial Education Board
4. Teaching Service Commission
5. Director, SHP Education Division
6. Head of Wakwak Primary School / Current Admin, North Mendi Primary
CC: Media, Community Leaders, SHP People
*Subject: Immediate Investigation & Reinstatement of Mr. Alois Longrie MBE*
For 47 years, Mr. Alois Longrie MBE gave his life to the children of Southern Highlands.
A young man from Iwaie village, East New Britain, he arrived in SHP in 1979 at age 23. He never left. He taught in Erep/Nipa, Nipa, Mendi-Munhiu, Lower Mendi, Kagua-Erave, and Wakwak. He restored run-down schools. He served as Head Teacher, Senior Teacher, and alternate PEB member. His last post was Headmaster, Marara Primary 2022.
He taught generations. Many of SHP’s current professionals, leaders, and parents sat in his classroom. Some were even children and grandchildren of his first students. His slogan to every child was: *“Nothing in this World is free”* - a lesson in hard work and dignity.
Mr. Longrie was never retired. Never suspended by TSC. Yet since 2021 he has been removed from payroll. For 5 years, a 70-year-old man who built SHP’s education system has lived at Wakwak ERC with his wife and 11 children, with no salary. He continues to appeal to PEB SHP and Education Division, but receives no answer. His appeals cite false reports and statements from a now-suspended Headmaster of North Mendi Primary.
*This is not justice. This is neglect.*
If allegations of corruption and nepotism were made, they must be investigated properly. If no finding was made, then why is a long-serving MBE teacher being punished without due process? Papua New Guinea law and TSC regulations require fair hearing, natural justice, and payment of en