Govt seeks more space for tertiary students

By PETER ESILA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says there are challenges faced in accommodating tertiary students in the country but the Government is trying to fix that.
“That is why next year we are going to beef up our investments in all the tertiary institutions,” O’Neill said.
He said this when launching the Teaching and Learning Resource Material Component of Tuition Fee Free policy at Napanapa outside Port Moresby yesterday.
“The priority is to try to double the number of kids who are going to those institutions. If our teachers’ colleges are having 200 kids, within six years, it must be doubled to 400.
“That is why we are going to build more lecture theatres, lecturers’ houses, so that we build the capacity.
“It is much easier to do than to build new facilities that will cost tens of millions of kina, simply the country cannot afford that.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Nick Kuman said the TFF policy gave relief to a lot of parents in the country.
“We have delivered all our commitments as far as TFF is concerned, up to the last term and K43 million for this term has been rolled out to our school system with K36 million yet to be paid before the close of term 3 in 2018,” Kuma said. “This shows the commitment of the government and we will continue to enjoy this investment.”
Kuman said the standard-based education system would be fully implemented by 2020.
“To be compatible in achieving the universal basic education by 2030, we will embark on relooking the curriculum — one of which where we will give more emphasis and strength to is technology because it is emerging and it is the global trend that is happening.”