I feel sorry for students who are missing out on the Tertiary Education Students’ Assistance Scheme (TESAS), which I believe is discriminating in nature.
The Government is telling those who are “not” on the scholarship that you are not from this country so we cannot help pay your school fees.
On the other hand, the Government is telling those who are on scholarships that you belong to this country so we will help you in paying your school fees.
Lets put it this way. If you are an average student, the Government will not pay your school fees, but if you are a bright and clever student the Government will absolutely pay your fees.
This is a kind of message that the Government wants its TESAS scholarship to portray to the people of Papua New Guinea. Now the bells are ringing for the people of this country to think serious about how their government is treating them.
TESAS scholarships are awarded with no emotion involved even though the majority of the population (85%) live in rural villages and are all subsistence farmers, whose incomes have barely improved since independence.
Many have no Government services available and the price of goods and services are rocketing on a daily basis.
The Government should treat every student fairly, regardless of their academic performances. The Government may argue that academic performances will be at stake if all students are on scholarship, but this can be determined by their passing or failing.
 

Lucas Kiap
Unitech, Lae