Parents urged to pay student fares

By GYNNIE KERO
ENGA Governor Sir Peter Ipatas (pictured)says parents will have to help in paying airfares for University of PNG students returning to classes in Port Moresby.
He was responding to a call by Higher Education Minister Francis Marus yesterday to MPs to assist in getting students back to Port Moresby for the resumption of classes.
Most students on Government scholarship have used their tickets.
Sir Peter told The National that the provincial government did not have the money to pay students’ airfares.
Marus has announced that the UPNG would begin its 2016 academic year next month.
Sir Peter however thanked the Government for allowing the academic year to be extended for most students who he described as “innocent”.
“I thank the Government for this announcement. Many innocent kids were affected by the boycotting of classes,” he said.
“Parents will have to meet the airfares. At the moment we (Enga government) don’t have the budget.
“We have prioritised for other projects in the province.
“Once students are back in class, we will pay their subsidised fees at UPNG for this year as we have done for UOG (University of Goroka).”
The total number of Enga students attending the UPNG this year is about 600.
Meanwhile, Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso said the provincial government would assist in transporting students to Port Moresby to resume classes next month.
“I will sit with my MPs and discuss other ways we can get money to assist our students return to school.
“We are also waiting for our DSIP funds, which we will also use to fund the students,” she said.
Marus announced yesterday in Port Moresby that the UPNG council had “decided to resurrect the 2016 academic year (from September)”.
The second semester of 2016 will start in January next year and end around March when the 2017 academic year begins