By Michelle Amba – EM TV News, Mt. Hagen
High schools and secondary schools in Simbu province have expressed concerns relating to issues associated with the government’s Tuition Fee Free (TFF) policy.
These include both components of TFF, as well as insufficient funds to run boarding schools.
The issues were made known during the Principal and Head Teachers meeting in the province last Thursday.
This monthly meeting is where principals and head teachers of secondary and high schools meet with the Simbu Provincial Education officials to discuss issues affecting schools.
Only three schools out of 20 high schools and secondary schools in Simbu province were not present during this meeting.
The meeting was held at Kondom Agaundo Memorial High School near Kundiawa.
Almost all heads of schools said they were facing problems associated with the government’s TFF policy.
Principals also expressed concerns as to how the TFF money was divided into three components. Concerns were raised about the commodity and infrastructure component.
Head Teacher of Kondom Agaundo Memorial High, Duale Waula, said based on their past experience, they have doubts as to whether or not the schools will receive the infrastructure component.
Principal of Simbu’s largest boarding school, Kerowagi Secondary , Samuel Kono, said what was given in the first quarter is not sufficient to take the school through the semester.
The Simbu Division of Education says the concerns raised are serious and authorities should take note of these.
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