PM wants improved education

By YVONNE KAMBIBEL
THE Government has committed itself to paying subsidies to improve education and wants everyone to play their roles as well, Prime Minister James Marape says.
He said everyone – the Government, school managers, teachers and parents – had their own roles to play to support the Government in strengthening the education system.
“The future of the country is in our hands,” he said.
“While the Government is taking the school fee burden off parents, they too must play their part by setting the foundation right starting in their homes and not just rely on the Government.
“Parents must make sure that their children are fed, clothed and in school.”
Marape spoke at a small ceremony in Port Moresby yesterday when he presented a cheque for K158 million to Education Minister Jimmy Uguro, marking the completion of the Government’s commitment to subsidies for 2022.
The National understands that the Government had allocated K632 million for subsidies, mainly school fees, under its revised tuition free subsidies policy in 2022.
Marape said the Government had allocated K6.2 billion over the last 10 years and had been consistent in its efforts in ensuring that fees were being paid to give children the right to go to school.
“Every child must get an education from elementary up to year 12,” he said.
He said the Government was also committed to improving and strengthening all Flexible Open Distant Education (Fode) programmes to support students who were not in the formal education system.
Meanwhile, Uguro advised that all subsidies to schools should be used wisely for infrastructure development, improve teaching and learning and not for haus krais (funerals).
“Do not use them for bride price,” he said.
He said he would instruct Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra to ensure all school accounts were closed during the Christmas period while students were on holidays.