Kairuku-Hiri students aided

KAIRUKU-Hiri students at the University of PNG have all the reasons to smile after their MP Paru Aihi delivered two cheques – one for K24,000 for 16 students on the main campus and the other for K5,000 for five students at the Open campus in school fees assistance.
Mr Aihi’s first secretary Jeff Maleva, secretary Nancy Kakale and electoral officer Patrick Aihi made the presentations last Thursday at the UPNG main campus.
Mr Maleva said a total of K180,000 had been distributed to other provinces to assist all Kairuku-Hiri students from Mr Aihi’s support grant of K250,000.
“Kairuku-Hiri is the largest electorate in Central province and over the years, school facilities have deteriorated and since the Member came into office in 2007, he has done a lot for his electorate,” he said.
Mr Maleva said Mr Aihi started assisting schools last year with K180,000 and had done the same this year with more focus on classrooms, teachers’ houses and other facilities.
“All these are part of his plan in the capacity building programme and as long as he is in office, he will continue to assist student’s school fees,” he said.
“Mr Aihi  is well aware of the low performance and intake of students in higher education especially in universities and hope his assistance in funding their school fees would do any better to help encourage and raise the standard in Central province,” he said.
Meanwhile, UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes expressed his gratitude for the gesture saying that it was an important step forward and UPNG was in full support and ready to assist in any way possible to put Central province back to where it was some 15 years ago.