Govt considers lifting funding to prevent tuition-fee hike

By PETER ESILA
THE Government will consider increasing the allocation for compulsory tuition fees to the University of Papua New Guinea next year so that students are not charged extra.
The university council announced this week that students would have to pay more in compulsory tuition fees next year because the government funding to the university was not enough to keep its operation going.
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Pila Niningi yesterday directed
Secretary Father Jan Czuba to discuss the matter with the UPNG council before the government responds.
“I have directed the secretary to call the university and have a meeting and then brief me as to the school fees,” he said.
The UPNG council said the decision was reached in light of the decrease in the annual budget provided by the government, and the increase in costs of the essential utilities to maintain the operation of the university’s teaching and learning activities.
Ningi said the government had taken over the load but was facing financial problems.
“But that should not give way to taking advantage of the problem. I’m sure the secretary will call the vice-chancellor and chancellor to have a meeting and then they will brief me,” he said.
“I will (then) advise UPNG what the government positions is.”
He said universities operated as an autonomy.
“They can make decisions, but the decisions (must be) based on facts and not for the sake of increasing (fees). I believe that they are responsible people,” he said.
The UPNG council said the increase also reflected the Consumer Price Index adjustment which will affect the students.