Why are 300 schools missing out?

 THE revelation that more than 300 elementary and primary schools in Madang have not received their free government tuition fees since 2012 is cause for grave concern.

A list of the affected sch­ools has been posted by provincial education statistics officer Boniface Rukain on the notice board outside his office in Madang. 

It confirms that these schools have been missing out on the tuition fees since the O’Neill Government initiated and implemented its free education policy in 2012.

According to the list, 44 schools were those with missing bank account details and were rejected by the banks. 

But after these schools provided their account details they still did not receive any funding.

The list says that 58 community and primary schools missed out on the first part payment for 2014, while 15 missed out in 2013.

It says that 156 elementary schools did not receive their tuition fees in 2014, nine in 2013 and five in 2012.

A headmaster from one of the schools in Bogia expressed concern that their schools missed out on funding for no good reason although their bank accounts were in order. “On behalf of all Madang schools affected, I would say that we deserve to get our share of the funds.”

The headmaster was told that advice had come from the Education Secretary that their schools would not receive free tuition fees for 2012 and 2013 because they were overdue.

We understand that the affected schools are seeking legal advice about the matter, which is seriously affecting their operations and, in particular, the education of children in their areas.

The schools are demanding an explanation from Education Secretary Dr Michael Tapo about his purported decision not to release their funds.

Tapo will have to clarify this matter not only to the affected schools but to the political leadership.

It seems that something went wrong somewhere along the line and someone in the Education Department, either in Waigani or in Madang, needs to show cause.

Why are these schools still missing out on free tuition fees even though their bank accounts are in order? 

Did Secretary Tapo direct his officers in Waigani not to release the funds for these schools because they had breached certain conditions?

Whatever the reasons are, it is obvious the Education Department has denied these schools of free education funds that they are entitled to receive each year under the Government’s free education initiative.

The last time that the department failed to implement the policy, its head was axed by none other than Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

It would wise of the Education Secretary and his department to do the right thing by releasing the “overdue” funds for the affected schools in Madang and possibly others around the country.

It is simply unfair and improper for these schools, most of them in remote parts of the country, to miss out on free tuition fees because of some bureaucratic bungle in Waigani.

The O’Neill Government views education of our children as the cornerstone of a successful and prosperous nation and initiated the free tuition fees to enable all children to have equal access to elementary, primary and secondary education.

It is therefore imperative that the implementing agency, which is the Education Department, delivers the Government’s policy in the most effective way by ensuring that all elementary, primary and secondary schools get their funds without unnecessary delays.

It has been two-and-half-years since the free education policy was implemented and there should not be any lame excuses by the department about the non-release of funds to schools.

The Madang situation highlights a serious flaw in the release of free tuition fees, which requires the Education Department make amends rather promptly.

Parliament is sitting across the road from the department’s headquarters and the people’s elected leaders, including the prime minister, will be keen to know why some of our children are being denied free education.