Fees stump single mum who lost her job

A Single mother in East Sepik who has been raising her son with the support of her relatives was disappointed to learn of the increased tuition fee of University of university of Papua New Guinea.
“I can’t afford K7500 for tuition fee, this is too much for a simple mother like me struggling to earn my living,” Tania Timi said.
“Can the government liaise with the institution and at least reduce the amount to between K2000 and K3000
Tania Timi, mother of four has been counting and hoping on this particular son and his offer to UPNG was great news to her but was let down by the fees.
Tania is a nursing officer by training and a survivor of domestic violence, which forced her to leave her work and she has been unable to find new employment since.
“I am sure that my relatives will chip-in for me but this is too much too ask for,” she said.
“This amount K7500 is for tuition fee alone and boarding and lodging will be even higher.
“I wonder if the government is considering the fact that there are students from simple parents in the village who will be attending universities.
“I do little marketing to sustain my day-to-day living with my son and my siblings come in time to time to support because they see the need I have.”
A senior official at UPNG said that at the moment the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology, the UPNG and government were discussing this.
“This is a very complex issue that revolves around government funding of tertiary institutions and the reality of running the biggest university in PNG,” he said.
“The university, DHERST, and the government are currently in discussions concerning this issue.
“Hopefully, positive statements will be made in the near future as to how the matter can be clarified.”