SCHOOLS have resumed classes for term two while the Education Department sorts out those yet to meet the criteria to secure Government funding.
Education Minister Nick Kuman told The National that some schools still had to meet the four “requirements” which guided the department on which school should be paid, and by how much. The four requirements are: Schools must be registered and have a registration code; Each school must have at least a teacher which the Education Department can identify through the pay-slip; Schools must provide up-to-date statistics such as enrolment figures; Registered schools must have bank accounts. Kuman said around 3000 schools still faced problems with enrolment and funding. “We are looking into this problem to find out those schools which fail to meet the four minimum standard requirements which guide payments. The Education Department is accountable for the disbursement of the tuition fee-free fund,” he said. “The department will make sure that all schools meet the requirements in term two.” As reported in The National yesterday, the department had paid K97 million into the bank accounts of schools last week. This follows the early closure of some schools at the end of Term One because of funding problems, and the threat by others to suspend classes this term for the same reason. Kuman said he would ensure that schools meeting the funding criteria receive their funds on time. Treasury released K97,836,482.70 to the Bank of Papua New Guinea on Wednesday last week. This was then credited to the three commercial banks to deposit to the accounts of 9979 eligible schools. Kuman, in welcoming schools into the second term, said the payment completed the component one payment of K300 million for terms one and two. Kuman said the remaining K300 million of subsidy funding for this year would be paid to schools before term three. It will cover term three and term four. Most schools contacted by The National yesterday confirmed receiving some funding from the Government. Yaliwi Nongi, treasurer of Hayfield Technical High School in Maprik, East Sepik, said “some money was paid into the school account last week. We will have to confirm how much”. John Tokmun, principal of the Namatanai Secondary School in New Ireland, said they had received the tuition fee-free subsidy payment. But he said the school had increased enrolment and was expecting more funding. Sister Mary McCarthy of the Catholic Education in Port Moresby said Marienville Seconday School had already received the 30 per cent payment. Brother Gabriel Sevak of Kiunga Catholic Secondary School said the school received K119,000 last week which was well below what they were expecting.
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