Fr Jan clarifies fees charges

ALL universities and higher education institutions are governed by independent councils which set up policies that students and staff must follow, an official says.
Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST) secretary Fr Jan Czuba said this yesterday in response to students and parents raising concerns on institutions charging fees on students that were applying for the higher education loan programme (Help).
“Some people do not understand the policy,” Fr Jan said.
“Universities are governed by independent councils.
“These councils set up the policies which must follow so what the University of PNG (UPNG) and other state universities are doing is requiring students to pay a minimum fee.”
He said the fee would ensure the student was registered at the institution.
“Once the students register then they can apply for the loan and they don’t have to pay more, so what the universities are doing is correct.”
Fr Jan said schools often had students who registered but never paid.
“I fully support the policy of UPNG and other universities where the minimum fees must be paid before the students arrive,” he said.