Dept to launch loan scheme

THE Departmentof Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (Dherst) will be launching a students’ loan scheme this year to support tertiary fees.
Students struggling to pay their fees for colleges and universities will have access to the loan for assistance. They will repay the loan when they start working.
Dherst Minister Pila Niningi said it would be launching the scheme in next few months and hopefully fully implement it next year.
“The loan scheme will support many students who are struggling to pay under the self-sponsorship category,” he said.
“They can get a loan to support their studies, and will have to repay after completing their studies and into the course of their employment. This would greatly help those struggling parents to relieve the burden of paying fees.”
He said the loan scheme was separate from the government’s Tertiary Education Students’ Assistance Scheme (Tesas). He said he would allow all students to access higher education.
Niningi spoke at PNG University of Technology’s graduation in Lae on Friday where 760 students graduated with doctorates, masters and bachelor degrees.
He said they would also look into establishing scholarships for postgraduates, especially masters and doctors.
Higher degree candidates have been carrying out researches and creating knowledge with information that industries and society are using for development. Funding for major studies and scholarship support for higher degrees was crucial,” Niningi said.
Niningi said the government was aware of the continued increase in higher education benefits, but cost, of being left out was also growing.
“Higher education is no longer a luxury in the country and is essential to national, social and economic developments,” he said. Niningi said the government had invested K311 million in Tesas scholarships since 2012.
“The 2012 government’s contribution for Tesas alone was K33 million, but this year I ensured that more funds are available,” he said.
“I was able to secure K72m, which is a substantial increase. Higher education is expensive but it is not a luxury.
“It is the right investment government is making into the future of our country.”