TFF cash component payments of K385 million to October 2019

The Department of Education has so far received a total of K385 million from the Department of Finance to pay schools the Tuition Fee Free payments.

The release of K20 million at the end of September and an additional K40 million at the beginning of October brings the total amount released to the Department to K385 million so far.

The K60 million released recently has been paid to schools starting at the beginning of October to the Elementary, Primary, Community, Secondary, Provincial High Schools, National High Schools and Vocational Schools throughout the country.

This is the first payment for Term 3, 2019.

The school headteachers, principals and Boards of Managements are urged to budget and spend the money wisely so it can last until the next payment is received.

“The current policy has been reviewed by the Department and my office is reviewing it before it will be presented to Cabinet for its endorsement,” he said.

Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra thanked the schools for their patience.

He acknowledged and thanked the Government for continuing to support the TFF Policy, in releasing funds to ensure that schools continue to provide education services.

READ ABOUT THE PNG GOVERNMENT'S NEW TUITION FEE SUBSIDY POLICY (CLICK HERE)

Australia Scholarships for PNG Secondary School Students

The Minister for Education Hon. Joseph Yopyyopy and the Australian High Commissioner to PNG Bruce Davis formally agreed on Papua New Guinea’s participation in the Pacific Secondary School Scholarships Program commencing in 2020 during the signing at the Australian High Commission building on 17th December 2019.

This scholarship program will enable students from PNG to build lifelong connections with Australia and help develop their skills to contribute fully to PNG’s development, thereby enhancing its sustainable economic growth.

As currently designed, the scholarship will support PNG students to obtain a senior school certificate and possibly an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank if desired. 

The first cohort of students will commence in year 10 in Australia in July 2020.

Schooling will be delivered by NSW and Queensland state governments’ existing international education programs, which are supported by a rigorous Australian regulatory framework for quality assurance, child protection and welfare.

Secondary school scholarships to Australia will complement the secondary school partnerships established under the PNGAus Partnership Secondary Schools initiative, launched by Minister Joseph Yopyyopy and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on 26th August 2019.

The Partnerships between 24 PNG and Australian schools are strengthening teaching and learning at schools around PNG.

Minister Yopyyopy thanked the Australian Government for continuing to support PNG through education and stressed that this is the focus of the current government to take back PNG.

He said PNG will continue to work closely in partnership with the Australian Government in similar schemes in future and like to see many young Papua New Guineans grasp the opportunity to better themselves and help in the development of the country.

The Australian High Commissioner to PNG Bruce Davis said Australia has been supporting education at all levels.

He alluded that the current Prime Minister James Marape has been strongly emphasizing technical & vocational education. This is an area that would be looked at also.

Mr. Davis said they will assist where possible and will be in line with PNG’s own developmental priorities.