No classes this week: Uni

THE University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) will not be resuming classes this week, according to UPNG public relations and event management director James Robins.
Robins said this after there was speculation claiming that UPNG was planning to resume classes this week.
“As stated by the vice-chancellor, the university will adhere to Government directives, as they are the law,” he said.
He confirmed that the university did not resume regular (face-to-face) classes this week.
“The academic senate will be having a meeting this week and will make some decisions concerning the direction that the university will take,” he said. “In the meantime, lecturers are being encouraged to put in place some online teaching and learning initiatives for the students during this period of the state of emergency.”
Robins response came after The National reported last Thursday that the eight universities in the country were ready to resume classes on April 14.
The heads of the University of PNG, University of Technology, Divine Word University, University of Goroka, University of Natural Resources and Environment and Pacific Adventist University conveyed this in a letter to Prime Minister James Marape recently.
They requested the Government allow classes to resume “under strict control measures and safety practices” during the state of emergency.
“We wish to advise you and the minister (higher education) that we are ready to resume all academic activities in all institutions in the higher education sector as of April 14,” the letter said.
“Learning and teaching can be done online and through blended learning. Face-to-face learning and teaching will be monitored and larger classes could be divided into small groups of students to maintain social distancing between students.”
They also asked the Government to allocate K95 million to cater for students during the lockdown.
“(This will help us) to effectively manage 28,000 students during the period of emergency,” they said.
“(We recommend) that you direct the Treasury and Finance Departments to equally prioritise the higher education sector’s funding for the emergency activities recommended and release the funds.”