Dept pays K3 million for airfares

By LORRAINE JIMAL
Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology acting secretary Dr Francis Hualupmomi says K3 million was paid to Air Niugini for the tertiary student’s airfares on Thursday.
He said as of Friday, students attending tertiary institutions have to present their identification card at the nearest airport and get their tickets.
“If the students miss the flights or wants to change the dates of travel it was up to the airlines to change them with the penalty fees,” Hualupmomi said
He said those students who wish to seek the Higher Education Loan Programme (Help) loan should pay the compulsory fees to be required to borrow the money to pay for their fees.
“Parents must pay the compulsory fees. Institutions set their own compulsory fees depending on their budget,” he said.
Hualupmomi said this was the Government support to parents to help pay for their children’s fees to go to school.
He said the programme – implemented by the Prime Minister James Marape – would see some post graduate students start repaying the loan this year.
“This year we will reap the first dividends of Help through repayment of loan by the post graduate working class students who have completed their studies last year,” he said.
“The dividends will be managed under higher education endowment fund facility.
“This facility will manage and sustain funds for a long term.
“This facility will be linked to the Sovereign Wealth Fund.”