Ghost uni

Minister for Higher Education Pila Niningi says the boycott of classes by University of PNG staff was illegal and in contempt of court. However, a spokesman for the staff said the decision not to attend lectures was an individual one by the staff and they were determined to carry on until their grievances were settled. Among the key concerns the lecturers have is the minster’s interference in the university’s affairs and his powers. University Chancellor Jeffrey Kennedy denied there had been no classes since Monday.

By Rebecca Kuku
University of PNG staff want a review of the Higher Education General Provisions Act 2014.
Spokesperson Dr Unus Digim’Rina said that the Act was creating a lot of problems, not only for the university, but other tertiary institutions in the country.
“The Act has given a lot of powers to the minister to interfere with administrative matters and school affairs which has resulted in a lot problems,” the spokesperson said.
“We call on the government to review the Act and set by-laws and processes to support the Act.”
Digim’Rina said that the UPNG Act 1983 was and has been effective over the past 45 years.
“We are not saying that the Higher Education General Provisions Act 2014 is not good, we’re just saying that it should be reviewed because currently it is still young and inexperienced. We had not tested it, but now that we have, we can clearly see the problems it is creating and we appeal to the Government to review it,” he said.
Minster Pila Niningi said the Act was not made by him or during his term: “This Act was done in 2014, not by one person alone but by the government.”