Hela students get funding assistance

THE 1200 Hela students attending tertiary institutions in the country have received K3.7 million to assist in their fees this year.
Governor Francis Potape said K1 million was initially allocated in the K441m provincial budget to subsidise the fees of students at universities, technical schools and other higher learning institutions.
But this was increased to K3.7 million because many parents were struggling to meet the fees.
Potape told Hela students in Port Moresby on Monday to excel in their studies.
He also discouraged the students from spending too much time on social media.
“Because of lawlessness (in Hela), parents are struggling. Mothers are struggling to sell pigs in Tari to pay school fees,” Potape said.
“We are paying K3.7 million that should at least cover 80 to 90 per cent of the cost that students should have paid.
“Helping students is the key to developing our province.”