All schools deserve fair treatment

 RECENT revelations that numerous elementary and primary schools in Madang continue to miss out on free tuition fees is cause for grave concern.

And more worrisome is the fact that lists of the affected schools have been posted on notice boards by provincial education authorities in Madang throughout this year.

The lists confirm that these schools have been missing out on the tuition fees since the O’Neill Government initiated and implemented its free education policy in 2012.

According to the lists, more than 40 schools were those with missing bank account details and were rejected by the banks. 

But after these schools provided their account details they still did not receive any funding.

The list says that more than 50 community and primary schools missed out on the first part payment for 2014, while 15 missed out in 2013.

It says that more than 150 elementary schools did not receive their tuition fees in 2014, 10 in 2013 and five in 2012.

A headmaster from one of the schools in Bogia recently expressed his concern that their schools missed out on funding for no good reason although their bank accounts were in order. “On behalf of all Madang schools affected, I would say that we deserve to get our share of the funds.”

The headmaster was told that advice had come from the Education Secretary that their schools would not receive free tuition fees for 2012 and 2013 because they were overdue.

We understand that the affected schools had sought legal advice about the matter, which was seriously affecting their operations and in particular the education of children in their areas.

The schools had demanded an explanation from the Education Department headquarters in Waigani about its purported decision not to release their funds.

The department will need to clarify this matter in the New Year not only to the affected schools but to the political leadership.

It seems that something went wrong somewhere along the line and someone in the Education Department, either in Waigani or in Madang, needs to show cause.

Why are these schools still missing out on free tuition fees even though their bank accounts are in order? 

Did the Education Secretary direct his officers in Waigani not to release the funds for these schools because they had breached certain conditions?

Whatever the reasons, it is obvious the Education Department has denied these schools of free education funds that they are entitled to receive each year under the Government’s free education initiative.

Indeed, it would wise of the Education Secretary and his department to do the right thing by releasing the “overdue” funds for the affected schools in Madang and possibly numerous others around the country.

It is simply unfair and im­proper for these schools, most of them in remote parts of the country, to miss out on free tuition fees because of some bureaucratic bungle in Waigani.

The O’Neill Government views education of our children as the cornerstone of a successful and prosperous nation and initiated the free tuition fees to enable all children to have equal access to elementary, primary and secondary education.

It is therefore imperative that the implementing agency, which is the Education Department, delivers the Gov­ernment’s policy in the most effective way by ensuring that all elementary, primary and secondary schools get their funds without unnecessary delays.

It has been three years since the free education policy was implemented and there should not be any lame excuses by the department about the non-release of funds to schools.

The Madang situation highlights a serious flaw in the release of free tuition fees, which requires the Education Department to make amends rather promptly.

Parliament House is next door to the Education Department’s headquarters and the people’s elected leaders, including the prime minister, will want to know why some of our children continue to be denied free education.

This problem needs to be rectified before the 2015 school year begins.