Late release of names cost students place in college

NON-SCHOOL leavers selected to do first year at Balob Teachers College in Lae have been denied enrolment because the National Department of Education (NDOE) released the names late.
Aggrieved parents and students said when they asked to know why they were denied enrolment, a senior academic staff assaulted a student in front of everybody.
The aggrieved students and parents were from secondary schools including Bugandi, Lae, Kainantu, Goroka, Kerowagi, Sir Tei Abel in Wabag and Hoskins in West New Britain.
Principal Jerry Hendingao said there were two batches of selections: the online one by the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (Dherst) and entry test at Balob in Nov last year.
“Those selected online by the Dherst have settled in school on time without hiccups,” he said.
Hendingao said those affected were the ones who sat the entry tests at Balob.
He said 220 names and qualifications were submitted to NDOE for vetting in Dec last year.
“I went to Waigani twice this year to follow up on selected names but nothing was ready,” Hendingao said.
“According to Education Department calendar, academic staff resumed on Jan 22 and the second and third year students resumed on Jan 28.”
Hendingao said the NDOE released 212 non-school leavers’ names on Feb 26, which was already four weeks into lectures.
He said that out of 220 names submitted to NDOE for vetting, only 40 students were confirmed and 180 removed and replaced with new names.
“There was no reason given to us to substantiate why 180 students were removed from the selection list,” Hendingao said.
“Instead, they directed us to allow two weeks for these late students to register.”
Given the two weeks, some students arrived on time, paid their 75 per cent upfront payment of K5000 (boarding) and K2900 (day) school fees to enroll.
“The late release of the names surprised many students and parents, causing inconvenience to prepare themselves to meet the fees within two weeks, so we advised them to come next year” Hendingao said.