Free Education in PNG Poll Result - Investigate TFF Funds

The policy started in 2011 and implemented nationwide in 2012 by the then government under Peter O'Neill ministership and spearheaded by the then Education Minister Nick Kuman (now Minister for Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, DHERST). 

A detailed review of the policy titled Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education can be found via the link.

In a recent online poll on Twitter, PNG Insight followers were asked what new PNG Government under PM James Marape and new Education Minister should do about the free education policy, the Tuition Fee Free Education (TFFE) Policy. 

Poll result

What should the present #PNG govt do with the Tuition Fee Free Education Policy?

— P.N.G. Insight (@PNG_Insight) October 2, 2019

The result indicated that there is a need to investigate the TFFE funds allocated to schools, private companies and MPs since 2012. It is a massive task, but if done properly the investigation could set the foundation for better education policy relating to free education in the country. 

Warrant of arrest issued for former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill

A WARRANT of arrest was issued by the Waigani District Court last Friday for former Prime Minister and Member for Ialibu/Pangia Peter O’Neill for official corruption.

Facebook/Royal PNG Police a/PC D.Manning

Whilst I cannot reveal any specific details at this point in time due to the sensitivity of the investigations I can confirm that police investigators in an ongoing investigation applied to the district court for the arrest warrant for Mr O’Neill which was granted last Friday.

 The warrant was obtained upon the weight of the evidence brought forward by the investigators.

The warrant of arrest is now in the process of being served on Mr O’Neill. He will be processed by police after which he has the right to bail and defend himself in court. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law so Mr O’Neill’s constitutional rights are being respected in that regard.

PIC: Parliament biopage/ PETER Oneill

Investigations into this particular case involving the former prime minister has been ongoing and the weight of the evidence that came to light before the police detectives necessitated an application to be made to the courts for a warrant of arrest.

We have made it very clear when we came into office that we will look into all outstanding criminal cases of national significance including police shootings as well as high level corruption cases.

Rest assured that under my leadership I will not allow police investigations to be politicised nor allow for people with vested interests to use the police for personal vendetta or a witch-hunt. 

Investigations that can stand-up to rigorous scrutiny and checks and balances will be allowed to progress into the arrest stage. Under my leadership I will not allow some of the reckless behaviours of the past where arrests were made without credible evidence.

All other outstanding cases are also being pursued with this in mind and details will be made known to the public going forward as and when warranted.

By way of update, as of this morning Mr O’Neill was located at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port Moresby. The Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations Mr Donald Yamasombi has made contact with Mr O’Neill and has requested directly to him that he accompanied him to Boroko Police Station to be processed. As we speak he has refused to cooperate with Police thus far.

Now my appeal as the Acting Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to Mr O’Neill is for him to avail himself to investigators and allow due process to be completed.

Thank you.

David Manning, MBE, DPS, QPM

Acting Commissioner of Police

Tuesday 15th October 2019

Source: Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Facebook page

UN PNG Volunteer and Job Opportunity

UN WOMEN PNG: The Spotlight Initiative is looking for 15 civil society experts in ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG). 

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the EU and the UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. 

To nominate, download an expression of interest form and nomination sheet here 

▶ https://tinyurl.com/tpstvy7

Visit our website for more information including nomination rules ▶  http://bit.ly/35qaG0W

We encourage everyone to share this information to ensure we find the best civil society experts to help us on this quest. 

Apply now! Nominations close on 13th December 2019. (This volunteer opportunity is closed - check this page for the latest job and unpaid volunteer opportunity with UN Women PNG. 

UN Women Papua New Guinea | UNDP in Papua New Guinea | United Nations Population Fund Papua New Guinea | UNICEF Papua New Guinea

BIRTH CERTIFICATE MANDATORY FOR OBTAINING NEW PNG PASSPORT

Chief Migration Officer says the office of Immigration and Citizenship authority will not compromise the integrity of PNG passports.

Birth Certificate Mandatory when applying for PNG Passport (Image: Facebook)

He said this on his social media page today in response to a Drum piece in the Post Courier suggesting his office should relax its rigid stance that citizens should acquire national identification cards in order to apply for a passport.

PNG national identity cards

The Coca-Cola national schools rugby league tour to Queensland Australia was deferred because 75 per cent of the Under 18 boys and girls do not have the national identity cards to obtain a passport.

“The students are from around the country and the process is quite rigorous to get the NID certificate,” PNGRFL chief executive Reatau Rau said.

Kantha in response to the Drum piece said: “Let me place on record that a birth certificate is a mandatory requirement for a passport and ICA will not compromise the integrity of our PNG passports.

NID and birth certificates required for PNG Passports

‘The detection of false NID birth certificates will affect the integrity of our passport system and affects the position of countries granting visa on arrival for PNG passport holders,”he added.

The NID is a fundamental and primary requirement for a passport and once this is compromised our passports will be questioned at entry ports in other countries and we will not be able to get to a stage of introducing biometric or e-Passports,” he said.

“Our birth registry process and NID must step up and improve or we will not get anywhere. All support must be given to Mr (Noel) Mobiha who is doing his best under trying circumstances.”

Source: Facebook October 1