By Maryboio Nigani – EMTV News Cadet Journalist, Lae
Morobe tertiary students have raised concerns over the increased tuition fees for 2019, saying this will cause problems.
Morobe Student representative Jonathan Mambere said many of the students come from rural areas, and their parents cannot meet the set amount.
“The government needs to help us, in any way to reduce the tuition fees. Most of us come from rural areas and our parents cannot pay the set amount.” said Mr Mambere.
Over the years, government-run institutions have not been receiving their allocated funds in full, says Mr Mambere.
The student leaders said this continuing issue has bombarded parents with fee problems, even today.
“Students are worried about the fee payments, when they are not supposed to, instead looking forward to the 2019 academic year.” said Mr Mambere.
He said many of the students are thinking of leaving school because they know their parents cannot meet the set amount.
Meanwhile, Wam Miti, a father of a student attending UPNG said he cannot meet this year’s fees.
“I am a parent from the rural area, and I cannot pay the tuition fee for 2019 in this short period of time…having other children to consider too is so hard for us subsistence parents.” Miti said.
He said the government needs to help do something about this before the 2019 academic year begins.
Mr Miti said most subsistent parents depend on their small markets and produce to meet fees for their children.
