Students have the right to speak out

 IPATAS Foundation chairman Isaac Lupari, who is also the prime minister’s chief of staff, said recently that the full tuition fees for tertiary students from Enga have been paid.

He also warned that any Enga students involved in protests against the Government would not be eligible for free tuition fees in the future.

He singled out Engan students at the University of Technology, in an apparent attempt to stop them from taking part in the recent boycott of classes.

Lupari cannot use the school fees to deprive the students’ freedom of speech and rights.

The foundation has said that students who meet its requirements and criteria, would receive more and the opposite would apply to the others.

It also said it was subsidising the school fees for Engan students but then also tell them to apply for “the loan”.

This has caused confusion among parents and Lupari should clarify.

I also appeal to Engan students to raise their concerns if they feel that their fees are not being fully paid by the foundation.

Frustrated Miokz

Port Moresby