Assembly pays K1.5 million as school fees subsidy

THE Motu-Koitabu Assembly (MKA) plans to lift the level of education of its people through a school fee subsidy scheme which it recognises as the only secure means by which its people will prosper.
Chairman Miria Ikupu on Tuesday presented a cheque for K1,500,000 to students of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) who received it on behalf of all Motu-Koitabu students from elementary and primary level within Port Moresby city to those at tertiary institutions, including those at the university.
He said the assembly under his leadership embarked on the capital development initiative since he took office two years ago. At that time it covered only the primary level.
This year, the scheme will also cover tertiary institutions.
A total of 65 students from UPNG will benefit from this exercise where 50% of their fees will be covered by the Motu Koitabu Assembly.
Referring to the plight of his people who are traditional landowners of the land on which Port Moresby city is built, Ikupu said: “We have given so much for this city’s development, yet we are spectators on our own land. This is why I have embarked on human capital development as this is the only secure thing for us.
“Educating our people will mean prosperity for us.”
Ikupu said the people of Motu Koita must now realise that their destiny was in education.
“By having educated Motu Koita people, we will prosper and be competitive. Education is the key,” he told students and academics.
He encouraged students to excel in their studies.
Patron of the Motu-Koitabu Students Association and executive dean of the school of natural and physical sciences Prof Frank Griffin applauded the initiative and challenged students to produce results worthy of the MKA’s support.
He was concerned that the number of Motu-Koitabu students at UPNG had reduced over the years when they should be the more stable lot in the city.
Griffin requested  Ikupu’s further support for the students who will organise tutorials for secondary school students from Motu-Koitabu as a way of encouraging them to aim for university education.
Student respondent Frank Pipi Kawage assured Ikupu that they would not let him down and that they would ensure that the privilege they enjoy was reflected in  academic excellence.