University centre to help school dropouts

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday November 7th, 2013

 SCHOOL dropouts in Nipa-Kutubu district, Southern Highlands, will be given a second chance to further their education with the establishment of a university centre.

Nipa-Kutubu MP Jeffery Komal gave K150,000 to set up the university centre at Nipa station. It will have its first intake next year.

“Many youths involved in illegal activities have no chances of entering tertiary institutions,” he said.

“The university centre will give them a second chance.

“People always complain about youths being involved in illegal activities but they need us to do something to help them.”

Komal will subsidise 50% of their school fees. He urged school dropouts in the district to enrol at the university centre.

He said human resource development was very important and he would do his best to make sure the district promoted it.

He subsidised fees for students attending tertiary institutions around the country. He allocated K300,000 last year and next year it will be K500,000.

He said many of the students attending tertiary institutions came from poor families and he hoped the subsidy would be a relief to their parents.

Nipa university centre coordinator Vincent Harisaul said many dropouts wanted to return to school but the education system did not allow that.

“Many have married and are heavily involved in agricultural activities,” he said.

“Others, however, are looting vehicles along the national highway, drinking homebrew and becoming a nuisance to the community.”