Tertiary institutions lack spaces

 TWENTY-nine tertiary institutions throughout Papua New Guinea will not have enough spaces to cater for students coming out of secondary schools, a government official says.

Office of Higher Education coordinator for national selection Timon Bune said this in East New Britain recently during a visit to secondary schools. 

The visit was to look at the province’s selections for tertiary institutions last year and to advise teachers and students to re-assess their performances and strategies to secure spaces in the institutions.

“We are in a bottle-neck situation where secondary schools are springing up everywhere in PNG while the number of students allowed into tertiary institutions is still low, Bune said.

“We are producing more students but there is less space at the higher education institutions. 

“We are encouraging students to study hard and commit their time so that they can be in the top bracket to be selected.

“This year, the number will increase to 18,000-plus students who will be competing for very limited spaces in higher education institutions. 

“The 29 institutions will not accommodate the 18,000.”

Bune said 15,565 students sat for exams last year but only 4,500 were accepted by tertiary institutions for scholarships purposes while 11,100 missed out.

“In 2012, 114 secondary schools graduated Grade 12 students and among this, the province had eight secondary schools which graduated 1,068 students.”

He said this year, ENB would see nine schools with the inclusion of Kerevat National High passing out Grade 12 students.

Next year, Warangoi High School and George Brown High School will come on board next year.