Marape puts hold on free subsidy funds

 NO more free education subsidy funds for this year will be released until a government sanctioned survey is completed, Parliament was told yesterday.

Finance Minister James Marape, who is also Education Minister said in a statement that the survey was a result of the inability of the Education Department to furnish to the government accurate information on schools, teachers and students.

He said the survey task force was mandated by the National Executive Council and given a funding allocation of K10 million to undertake the survey of all schools under the national education system.

“The survey is separate from the annual school census conducted by the department and data collected will be used by the government to review and formulate policies or laws that govern education as well as the monetary policy for better outcomes,” he said.

“The survey is very important for PNG and I expect all MPs to take personal responsibility for the survey operation within their electorates and security of the survey data.”

Marape said each of the 89 districts would receive K100,000 through their MPs to assist in the school data validation exercise.

The minister also told Parliament that work on reviewing the outcomes-based education (OBE) system was progressing well and the task force headed by Fr Jan Czuba would soon submit its findings to cabinet.