Students get scheme info

INFORMATION on the process of obtaining the Oro government’s tertiary students school fees assistance scheme (TSSFAS) was, for the first time, brought out to the public in Northern last Tuesday.
The one-day roadshow was coordinated and hosted by the TSSFAS office to give the public an opportunity to access relevant information as well as the forms to fill in and submit for assistance.
Present to open the information dissemination session for the day was deputy provincial administrator for field services Tako Gwae.
Other guests included Esmie Sinapa, a strong advocate for women and business, Elijah Sarigari, a community development advocate, David Siraba, the director for NBC Northern and his staff, as well as representatives from the business community who, while marketing their products, supported the TSSFAS initiative.
Sinapa challenged the people of Oro to take education seriously as the way forward for change and development to take effect in their lives and the province.
“I am an outcome and product of the education system,” she said.
“Come and take advantage of the Government’s school fee assistance scheme and commitment and do yourselves justice.”
In spite of the hot conditions, people from all walks of life, including students and public servants, turned out in numbers in search of information and opportunities for government support.
More than 300 application forms and information papers were given out by the end of the day.
Organisers thanked the business community and the Oro tertiary students who supported the TSSFAS’s first roadshow.
The TSSFAS team is expected to visit the Oro Bay and Kokoda local level governments.
The goal of the programme is to identify and incentivise high performing students and career public servants from Northern enrolled in tertiary institutions to complete their studies successfully.
Contained in the information paper are the funding levels and scholarship categories, eligibility criteria, application screening process and how to apply.