Subsidised Education Policy Vs Tuition Fee Free Education Policy

Reports have indicated that there is going to be a change in the Free Education policy in PNG. The free education policy (Tuition Fee Free, TFF) was first hinted to have been implemented in 2011 and rolled out nationwide in 2012 by the PNC government. The TFF policy has its fair share of implementation dilemmas. Read about it here. 

The new education policy follows a fee subsidy model. The policy, we shall call the Subsidised Education Policy, is a user-pay policy. But not in its entirety. The government may have resolved/planned to pay 50% and parents pay 50% of the school fee component.

2020 School Fee: what we know is that parents are paying school fees next year. 

The govt will implement a subsidized education policy, understandably. It is said to be a 50/50 fee subsidy.

Interesting time ahead. Schools, parents and stakeholders must adjust to the fee policy.

— P.N.G. Insight (@PNG_Insight) November 28, 2019

The problems are that it is not clear at the moment whether the government will also subsidise the school development projects (captured in the School Learning and Improvement Plans, SLIPs); and materials and infrastructure components. 

The TFF funds have struggled to capture those 3 components in the past 8 years. In what is known as the 30:30:40 components (READ MORE HERE):

1. School Learning Materials - 30% of TFF Grant
2. MPs PSIP and DSIP - 30% of TFF grant
3. Cash Grant for schools - 40% of TFF allocation

It would be interesting so watch this space for more detail. Or check out this link for more information on the TFF policy since 2012. 

In fact, it is going to be interesting. So parents, plan well for next year - get the school fees ready. Time to take some responsibilities. 

Meanwhile, below are two re-posts in relation to the change in TFF policy to a subsided education policy now in motion.  

PARENTS TO PAY SCHOOL FEES: Parents and guardians will pay half of their children’s school fees following a 50 percent cut in the Tuition Fee Free funding.

Department of Treasury Secretary Dairi Vele says the government will instead introduce and fund the Higher Education Loan Program for tertiary students.

"What we are doing is to ensure government and parents share the burden, kairm pikinini lukautim pikinini," said Vele.

Mr. Vele says these students will repay the loan after they graduate and find employment. 

He was speaking during the 2020 Budget Press Lockup at the State Function Room at the Parliament precinct yesterday. 

NBC News- Grace Tiden

OPPOSITION SAY SCRAPPING TFF WILL BE DISASTER: The (Papua New Guinea) Opposition is predicting a spike in social problems with the government's announcement to scrap the Tuition Fee Free or free education policy.

Presenting the 2020 National Budget in Parliament yesterday, Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey, revealed that parents and guardians will start paying their children's fees from elementary level up to grade 12 starting next year.

The TFF will only be reserved for students who make it to tertiary level education, under what would be known as a Higher Education Loan Program.

But Opposition Leader Belden Namah, told NBC News, scrapping the TFF would be a disaster for the country.

"We want to make our country align with the United Nations Charter on universal education, so this is an injustice to our people.'

"Now that the TFF is gone, people are going to flood to their members and ask for school fees and if you cant give them they will vote you out.

"Instead of doing away with TFF completely, the government should meed 60-percent and parents meet 40-percent.

"I can tell you a lot of parents won't pay for school fees and we will have a lot of young people just sitting around doing nothing at all and we will have more law and order problems in this country," Said Beldon Namah.

NBC News- Kelvin Kasper

China Not a Development Partner But Loan Shark in PNG

WHICH DONORS CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO PNG? While discussing 2020 Budget papers many members of NEC were surprised to find out just how much PNG receives from our donor partners. (Facebook/Kramer Report)

Note: This post was later retracted by the writer)

In 2020 PNG will receive close to K1 Billion in free development funds to assist us in our development goals.

Topping the list was Australia contributing K745m while China only contributes K7m

• Australia K745.0 m (81%)  
• European Union K80.0 m (8.7%) 
• United Nations K41.7 m  
• New Zealand K22.9 m
• China K7.0m
• USA K5.0 m 

In contrast when you look at it from how much we borrow, China tops the list on K450m. 

• China K446.2 m 
• ADB K437.6 m 
• World Bank K185.50 m 
• Japan K181.3 m 
• India K7.7 m 
• Australia K0.0 m 

Some countries are happy to lend us money where they benefit from the interest earned and conditional to their companies being awarded the contracts. Source National Planning Department 2020 Capital Investment Budget.

This piece of article is damning. Read here

Youth Participation: A Bridge to Opportunities - Nigel Akuani

Port Moresby: Real opportunities that benefit young people bring about effective youth participation.

This reflective statement was made by the Year-Eleven students of Jubilee Catholic Secondary during their talk on the topic ‘Youth Participation in Decision Making’ on TribeFM’s Chatroom program of Wednesday 13th November.

In their discussion the students dealt with a definition of the topic, its importance, factors affecting participation, importance of role models, recommendations and a call for the government to assist with the empowering of young people.

Jamieson Lalaga defined youth as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to the independence of adulthood. He said that adults need to understand this. 

“This transition allows a young person’s consciousness, active participation, creativity, independence and ability to take responsibility for their actions. Effective youth participation is about creating opportunities for young people to be involved in influencing, shaping, designing and contributing to policy and the development of services and programs,” he said.

Ian Waho stressed the importance of youth participation in decision making and said it was essential for young people to contribute effectively and positively to society.

Solange Dawana spoke of the proper role models in society. 

“Youth involvement in decision making is lacking in Papua New Guinea because many young people today do not have someone positive to look up to,” she said. “In Papua New Guinea we tend to give the upper hand to the elders in our society because of our respect for them. To achieve cooperation, participation and workflow in society, young people have to be acknowledged and given the opportunity to act,” she added.

Felicianna Konga concluded the discussions recommending that the elders in society to provide pathways necessary for young people to contribute on matters. 

“They need to be given a chance to speak their minds, if not, they will tend to look for it elsewhere.  They will be going against adult supervision without a second thought as to whether their decisions are good or bad,” she said.

Chatroom’s next session on Wednesday 20th November will have Students of St Charles L’wanga Secondary and Specialists from UNICEF discuss the importance of the upcoming ‘International Children’s Day’.

Port Moresby Nature Park has reopened its gates after closure

Port Moresby Nature Park has reopened its gates following a nine-day closure, much to the relief of the NCD community, school groups and tour companies, following orders of the National Court this morning.

Public Statement re Re-opening/Facebook

Port Moresby Nature Park is the only internationally wildlife-welfare accredited facility in the South Pacific Islands, obtained by the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia firmly cementing the as one of the world’s top wildlife facilities, with proven commitment to animal welfare, conservation, education and research.

HERE IS THE REASON WHY PORT MORESBY NATURE PARK WAS CLOSED

The Nature Park is happy to be back serving the community, teaching school children, training university students, conducting research, saving wildlife and providing venue hire and fun activities for friends and family to come together.

The Nature Park's immediate priority is to recommence our school excursion program, “Beasts with Bites”, which had been suspended due to the closure resulting in over 1,444 school students missing out on the program last week.  

Our focus is to ensure that any school classes that were prevented from coming to the Park last week will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Beasts with Bite’ schools' program as we will extend the program to ensure no schools or students miss out this great learning opportunity. 

In light of the festive season, the Nature Park will also run a special promotion for Christmas parties. We wish to thank all the businesses and families that have booked to host their functions at the Park as we do encourage more to do so in support of the Park.

The management and staff would like to convey our deepest gratitude to the community,  our sponsors and NCDC in particular for the support throughout. We are eager to continue delivering our mission for the benefit of all.