CHIEF Secretary Isaac Lupari says the disruption to classes at the State universities will cost the Government millions of kina. This includes the cost of extending the semesters to cover for the time lost during the students’ boycott of classes. But he was encouraged by the feedback he received yesterday from the heads of the four State universities after their meeting in Port Moresby. Lupari yesterday met the chancellors and vice-chancellors of the University Of Papua New Guinea, University of Technology, University of Goroka and the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Port Moresby. They have been tasked to carry out an assessment on the cost implications of the semester extensions. “I have asked them to do an assessment. Once the assessment is done, they will forward that to the Government to have a look at it,” he said. He said the six to seven weeks of delay had cost implications which would mean extending the period to salvage the 2016 academic year. It will require financial assistance. “It will be in millions of kina. This is how much it is going to cost the country as a result of what had happened in the past weeks,” he said. Students at the UPNG boycotted classes demanding that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill step aside and allow police to question him over corruption allegations. It triggered off class boycotts in the other campuses. Lupari yesterday urged parents, civil societies and political leaders to ensure that students returned to classes to complete the academic year. “I am very encouraged that everybody in all these institutions (universities) are working with each other, with the students’ leaders, both from the SRC down to the provinces, even as far as the district to get the students to understand the potential threat of the cancellation of the 2016 academic year,” he said. “I had been advised that all the (university) senates have revised their academic programme for 2016. The aim is to salvage the academic year.” Lupari said students would also be counselled. “It’s important that the universities also use their resources to counsel the students and guide them to make the right decision which is to go back to school,” he said. The National/PNGEDUNEWS
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Papua New Guinea education news services: Get Free Webpage for your School. Send us your School Profile now
>> STUDY IN PNG Follow PNG Online School |