Malapoa ‘Mufti day’ and sale of old items today

Today (Friday) is an

exciting day for the country’s top educational institution, Malapoa College, since its early days as a British Secondary School for all teachers and over 600 students are going to school in casual clothing instead of uniform today, and in return they pay a small fee.

It is the college’s first ‘Mufti Day’. Students will be in free cool costumes, showing off what they would like to be when they grow up as being a lawyer, an architect, a pilot, a doctor, physician, web developer, an astronaut or a professor. Principal Reginald Garoleo told the Daily Post the students are participating throughout the day, or just simply having fun in a big auction.

Students arrive for classes at 7.30am but will have no classes in the afternoon. In the afternoon, awards for the first and second ‘Best Costume’ will be made known for years 9 to 13. According to the principal, students are required to contribute with Vt100 and teachers Vt500. For visitors, a donation box will be provided.

He said this is the first Mafti Day as far as he can remember since the last one was held around the 1990s and sale of items to the public.

Many of the facilities going on sale today were used by many of the country’s national leaders in many sectors of the community of Vanuatu at large.

These includes mattresses, bed covers, blankets, fencing wire, fridges, photocopy machines, polo shirts, kitchen trays and water heater, lawn mower, library books and two school vehicles: a mini bus and a Hilux.

Not because the school needed fund or has surplus but these equipment dated back since the college establishment in August 2, 1966, said Principal Garoleo. Malapoa College is turning 48 years-old tomorrow.

The school head said the sale clearance allows for new replacement that will change the atmosphere that has been hanging in the air over the past years.

“Maintenance is an animal. When you do not renovate it starts eating everything. We (the school), are obligated to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students entrusted to our care.

“This also comes to the idea that management is not only about students but dealing with and controlling the teachers, classrooms, workmen and of course the biggest component, infrastructure,” said Garoleo.

Port Vila, parents and former students are kindly asked to contribute in the auction. The auction takes place at the school sports field.

All profits made from Mufti Day go towards the running of the school. Principal Garoleo said Mafti Day will become an annual event for Malapoa College.