Simon pays tuition fees for students

 A cheque for K104,800 was presented to the   Divine Word University Matriculation Centre in Maprik, East Sepik, for the enrolment of 130 school leavers.

Local MP John Simon presented the cheque for their tuition fees. 

“This is the highest amount paid for Maprik students in any institution,” Simon said.

The Maprik District Development Authority had allocated K600,000 in tertiary education tuition fee subsidies this year.

Bumbita Muhian local level government president Philip Koni said: “Our future depends on how many educated people we have. 

“Previous leadership did not invest in education. 

“This is the first time that we see huge investment in education for our children and future generation of Maprik. 

“Therefore, our leaders and people must invest in the education of our children to move the district and the people forward.” 

Koni said the previous Maprik MPs since indepedence had failed to recognise the importance of educating our children.

“If they had able to invest in the human resources to getting our children educated then our district will be at a different level than others in the country,” he said.

“We cannot see change  and to move on to improve our livelihood untill we have an educated population.

“Being educated, these people can  make informed and better decisions for the welfare of the district and its people.

“So even if it is late as some may think, we have to do more about educating our children.”

Koni said only education will move the district and its people to the next level of improved lifestyle and living standard.

Simon urged the students to study hard to beat others to earn their degree papers.

“As long as I am the MP, I will continue to ensure there is little bit of funding available for tuition fees,” Simon said.

“When the national Government is making it its business to provide free education for all our children in the country, we must do our part in making education reliable.

“My work is to help those students in tertiary institutions and to ensure that laerning facilities like classrooms and laboratories are equiped for improved learning.”

Simon also urged the people in the district to send their children to school because the government was paying fees for them.

“Its a compulsory that every parents in the electorate must send their  childre to school,” he said.

“Those who reluctant to sending their kids to school will be punished.