Institutions should help students

The National Letters

THOUGH we are eligible to get help from the higher education loan programe (Help), some tertiary institutions are not making it possible for us.
For instance, the University of Papua New Guinea requires every student to pay the compulsory fee to be registered in order to be eligible to apply for the loan.
However, some of us may not have that amount for registration.
We are hoping to have our fees met by Help.
Most of us scored very good marks last year, but if we can’t afford the compulsory fee this year, then we’re not going to be included in the Government’s inclusive education policy.
On the other hand, some students are under the tertiary education student assistance scheme (Tesas), payments for the Tesas componet comes in the middle of semesters, which might force some students who do not have funds to withdraw and eventually losing their scholarship.
If the Government is serious about achieving its desired goals in building the human resources of PNG, it should come down and monitor the higher education institutions to ensure they comply with the national policies.
On behalf of my fellow tertiary students, I think institutions should consider these:

  • ALLOW students to register with an approval letter signed by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology if they scored above 60 per cent of the grade point average, which should be a requirement in order to be eligible to apply for Help;
  • ALLOW students to transfer their overpayments, whether their own money or scholarship funds to those who are short of tuition fees; and,
  • ALLOW students to register if they are on Tesas with an approval letter from DHERST.

The compulsory fee can be settled in the student account when the Government pays its component.
If tertiary institutions can consider these, students will be relieved.

Andrew Felix
Tertiary Student