Dei MP subsidises tuition fees

 By ELLEN TIAMU

UNIVERSITY students from the Dei electorate in Western Highlands will have their tuition fees subsidised by local MP Wesley Nukundi.

Dei students at Unitech, University of PNG, University of Natural Science and Environment, Divine Word University, Pacific Adventist University and University of Goroka will be given school fee subsidies of K1,000 each.

Nukundi presented K29,000 for tuition fee subsidies to Dei students at the PNG University of Technology (Unitech) in Lae on Wednesday. 

He was accompanied by Dei district administrator Steven Korowa. 

Nukundi, an agriculture graduate from Unitech, joins a growing number of parliamentarians who have given education top priority in their development progammes. 

Educational development in the Dei electorate will receive K5 million over the next five years with this year’s budget allocation of K350,000.

“I have seen education neglected in most of the highlands provinces, except Enga in the past years and as long as I am MP in the next five years I will make education a priority,” Nukundi said.

“We are also looking at giving special consideration to any school student in exceptional cases such as where both parents have died and are also looking at sponsoring students for education overseas but those will be looked at over time.”

About 52 students from Dei are at Unitech and Nukundi said a proper list should be submitted to the district administrator for the balance of payment.

Korowa said he had served under two previous parliamentarians but this was the first time the local MP has placed emphasis on education.

An education foundation has also been established with the aim of subsidising school fees, act as an agent to facilitate scholarships overseas and assist grade 12 leavers find spaces in tertiary institutions in PNG and overseas.

The foundation will receive a funding of K1 million annually with a start-up budget of K500,000 already allocated. 

Meanwhile, the Dei district has also bought K1.9 million worth of pre-fabricated buildings – 12 double classrooms and a teachers house – from Hardware Haus and Nukundi and Korowa are also in Lae to observe the packing of the materials.