Port Moresby, January 10, 2024 – In a significant move towards investing in the future of Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape presented a substantial sum of K296.4 million to the Education and Higher Education departments today. The allocation, aimed at covering school fees, comes with a strong call from the Prime Minister to parents and citizens, urging them to take an active role in their children’s education rather than relying solely on the government.
During the presentation, K213.4 million was handed over to Education Minister Hon. Jimmy Uguro and Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra for the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy Scheme (GTFS), with an additional K83 million allocated to Higher Education Secretary Prof. Fr. Jan Czuba for the Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme (HECAS) and Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS).
Expressing their gratitude, Secretaries Kombra and Czuba acknowledged the Prime Minister for the early payment, ensuring a smooth start to the 2024 school year. The K213.4 million represents the first-term allocation for Education, contributing to the total budget of K856.686 million earmarked for 2024.
Prime Minister Marape emphasised the shared responsibility between the government and parents, stating, “I want to impress upon parents that if the Government is paying school fees for your children, what can you do right across the country?” He echoed the sentiment of collective responsibility, urging citizens to actively support their children’s education.
The Prime Minister further challenged Secretaries Kombra and Czuba to uphold discipline within the education system. He emphasised the need for teachers to maintain decorum, including refraining from betel nut chewing and smoking in the presence of students, and dressing appropriately. Prime Minister Marape highlighted the importance of administrative discipline, students’ discipline, teachers’ discipline, and overall societal discipline, as the country approaches its 50th anniversary of independence.
“Our country is nearing our 50th anniversary of independence, and today, we live among ill-disciplined people at work, in society. Education has a large role to play in this by molding the character of the next generation of Papua New Guineans,” the Prime Minister said.
This allocation signifies a commitment to fostering a disciplined and educated populace as Papua New Guinea progresses towards its milestone anniversary of independence.
###
