By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Parents and guardians starting next year will no more enjoy free education but pay a portion, and that is the project fees for their children.
The Vice Minister for Education, Gisuwat Siniwin, made the announcement today at the Graduation ceremony for Laloki Secondary School.
Parents and guardians will have to dig deep into their pockets to pay school project fees that will assist schools to begin the 2016 academic year.
It was at today’s Laloki Secondary School Grade 12 Pioneer Graduation where National Education Vice Minister, Gisuwat Siniwin, made the announcement.
“An advice from the National Government is that project fees will be reintroduced so that parents can take ownership.”
The Vice Education Minister further explained there were many challenges faced by schools when the Tuition Fee Free (TFF) Policy was rolled out.
Considering these reasons, the O’Neill-Dion Government had no option but to reintroduce project fees.
“So that the academic year can start properly, parents will have to pay project fees,” he said.
The news for the National Government to reintroduce the project fees didn’t go down well with some parents and teachers.
Schools like Laloki Secondary School are still waiting for their final quarter TFF funds.
Teacher, Clement Nele, said the National Government must not play up with the education system.
“Just look at other countries, they don’t play up with teachers and the education system. Only in Papua New Guinea, this happens. We change the system at our own desire like the Standard Based Education, out-phasing of grades eight and ten national examinations and many more,” Nele said.
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