PM clears school fees allocation

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister James Marape has clarified that parents, provincial and district governments will foot 37 per cent of school fees in elementary, primary and high schools.
Marape corrected what was reported widely after the tabling of the 2020 national budget that the Government had slashed the free education allocation by 50 per cent.
Marape made the announcement at the Christmas party for the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council on Tuesday, which was reported in The National correctly yesterday.
“In actual reality, and let the media expand it out correctly, in our tuition fee-free policy, we need configuration,” he said.
“So (it’s) just 37 per cent we (are) passing back to the provinces, districts and parents to pay.
“And the Government will front load that balance which is a little over 63 or 64 per cent.
“It’s a better arrangement.”
The Government will “front-load” its component early in the year while parents, provincial governments and districts can pay in July, August and September.
Marape said it gives parents an opportunity to save up in the first seven to eight months.
“We have also informed members of Parliament and governors who are willing to assist,” he said.
“If there are less fortunate districts struggling at a lower level of government, governors and members are on standby to help for elementary, primary and high schools.”
“We are trying to pick the most burdensome cost which is at the tertiary and colleges level.
“And we will be assisting in that area.”