Free education rules

By LORRAINE JIMAL
THE Government will strictly monitor student enrolment to prevent nepotism, bribery and bias when it brings back free education next year, says Education Minister Jimmy Uguro.
To avoid overcrowding in classrooms, it will ensure there is no huge increases in enrolment, and will discourage the re-enrolment of those who had left the education system years before.
“The free education policy is to maintain the current enrollment structures of the institutions. The burden (of parents) will be offloaded to the Government to take care (of tuition fees).”
The free education policy which began in 2012 under former prime minister Peter O’Neill was replaced in January last year by the James Marape-led government with a 63:37 partnership – parents paying 37 per cent of tuition fees.
Uguro also clarified that there would not be an increase in enrollment figures next year because of free education.
“This policy does not promote unnecessary enrollment.
“Schools will have to follow their own selection criteria to select students according to the education process,” he said.
Uguro told The National that education standards and quality must be maintained.
He said it meant no overcrowding in classrooms, no room for nepotism for those who left school years ago.
He stressed that the student-teacher ratio must be maintained at all times.
He said the Government would promote equal participation and free education to enrol students at elementary level, Grade 12, vocational, and flexible open distance education (Fode).
“(We want to see) PNG more educated.
“That is why the Government is paying school fees so that the rural people (benefit), to reduce poverty in the community so that they can participate meaningfully in the economic development programmes in their province.”
Uguro also urged school administrations and management to resolve development issues which come with the implementation of the 166 concept.
He was responding to a lack of resources and infrastructure development in some schools with the implementation of the 166 system.
He told The National that it was an issue that the school management should resolve.
“The Government only provides the amount.
“The board of management, education officers, provincial governments and district authority must work together to provide infrastructure development and any administrative activities.
“There should not be any excuse,” he said.