The Most Dangerous Ways To School Season 2 Episode 5 Papa New Guinea
- October 4, 2016
- 48 min
-
(14)
The Most Dangerous Ways To School is an intriguing docuseries that takes viewers on a journey to find out about the treacherous journeys students around the world take to reach school. In season 2, episode 5, we follow the story of Papua New Guinea, a country that is known for its diverse culture and stunning landscapes, but also infamous for its deadly terrain and treacherous pathways.
The episode starts with the introduction of the show's host, Sarah-Jane Mee. We see her standing in the midst of a remote jungle in Papua New Guinea with one of the local villagers. The villager explains to Sarah that the locals have to conquer some of the world's most brutal terrain just to reach school. He talks about how the children have to cross raging rivers and scale towering mountains every day to go to school.
The episode then introduces us to one of the local schools, a place where the children are full of energy and excitement as they prepare to embark on their daily journey to school. We see the group of students, all dressed in their uniforms, heading towards the river. They carry wooden boats and paddles on their shoulders, ready to brave the rapids and arrive at their school.
As the journey continues, we see the students paddling furiously upstream. The commentary informs us that the current is incredibly strong and treacherous. The river is also infested with dangerous animals like saltwater crocodiles and poisonous snakes. The students must stay alert and avoid any mishaps.
The viewers are introduced to a few students, and we hear their stories. We meet a girl who tells us that every day she has to travel down the river to get to school. She says that it's a difficult journey and that transportation is very costly. We also see a boy who walks for hours across the jungle to get to his school. His journey involves crossing a high mountain range, which is very dangerous and difficult to navigate.
The episode then takes us to another remote mountain village where a schoolteacher has set up a school. We see the teacher, who is a native of the area, talking to the parents of some of the students. The teacher is passionate about education and believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn. We hear her tell the parents that she wants to provide an education for the children, but she's concerned about their safety.
The commentary tells us that schools in Papua New Guinea are often targeted by bandits who demand payment for safe passage. The government has also been known to be very corrupt, and there's a chance that the schools' funds may get embezzled. Hence, schools in these remote villages have a tough existence.
The episode then finishes with a heartfelt goodbye to the students as they leave for home. We get a glimpse of their journey back as they paddle downstream. We hear them singing songs, happy and carefree as they head back to their jungle homes - despite the challenges and difficulties they face every day. The episode ends with a sense of admiration for their resilience and the bond that they share with the community. It shows how the education is valued and how the communities fight to obtain it.
In conclusion, this episode of The Most Dangerous Ways To School provides a stark view of the hardships that children in remote regions of Papua New Guinea have to go through to access education. It's an eye-opening experience for viewers to see the lengths that children go to receive an education and the risks they take while doing so. It's a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience, determination, and will to keep moving forward despite the odds that are against them.