By Adelaide Kari – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has asked the University of Papua New Guinea students to go back to class.
“I ask every student to go back to classes. Your education is priority. Do not risk it.”
In a News Statement, O’Neill says that his government since 2011 had committed to investing in education for the children of the Nation. He says investments in quality education, allowing every child an education is vital for the economic health, prosperity and unity of the country.
O’Neill says the government has invested billions of kina into education and says an additional one million children can go to school because of the tuition free education.
“We are investing in improving the quality of education at all levels of our education. Today, an additional one million children are going to school. Just imagine if we hadn’t introduced Tuition Free News, none of these children would be receiving education.”
“The evidence is right in front of us. At UPNG, we have invested heavily in student accommodation and more is being done. I can tell you; this Government is committed to this course.”
Prime Minister said that the students were the few privileged, who have the intellectual capacity and are leaders of tomorrow, to not sacrifice their education and disrespect their parents who have invested in them.
He asked them to not allow others to influence them but ask every student to go back to classes as their education was a priority.
“Do not allow others to use or influence you. They will not be there for you when you are in trouble.”
“Take it from me. I was a victim of outside influence, when I was a student at the UPNG. I was involved in student protests and strike because people told us that we students were the protector of Rule of Law and representative of the silent majority.”
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, finally said that matters they have raised were in Courts and to respect his and rights of others.
