Deregistered over confusion

Payment confusion has seen many Morobe tertiary students under the Gerson Solulu scholarship deregistered from their studies by their institutions, an official says.
Scholarship coordinator Robert Ayang said the Morobe government had paid about K9 million from the K20 million funding that was allocated.
Ayang said the payments made did not meet the students’ expectations, especially those from universities.
He said a 26 per cent payment was made to the institutions charging higher fees and catered for huge number of students.
He said 100 per cent tuition was paid for institutions with less number of students.
“A total of K1.9 million in payments were made in February to the universities, while the other institutions received their payments in May. I have all the evidence of the cheque butts, receipts and deposit slips to prove that payments were made,” he said.
“But, I am still waiting for acquittals from the institutions, so we can make final payments when funding is available.”
Ayang said deregistered students fronted up at the provincial government office demanding an explanation from authorities regarding the funding.
“K10 million was allocated for the scholarship scheme, but only K9 million plus was paid and the remaining K9 million plus was transferred to administration costs,” he said.
“The remaining costs were for administration because I have four support staff who help me but they don’t get paid plus logistic needs.”
Ayang clarified that the payments made from his office were for students who had been on the sanctioned list of the selection committees since the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, the provincial government, under the leadership of Governor Luther Wenge, had assured students during a public forum held early this year that it would pay 100 per cent of fees for Morobe students, as well as students from other provinces who are long-time residents of Morobe.