Many parents whose children are attending the University of Papua New Guinea on scholarship, have raised concerns that the institution is charging them hefty fees.
Many brought their disagreements to social media.
Parents and Guardians of students attending the University of Papua New Guinea on scholarships this academic year, have taken to social media their concerns regarding the hefty fees being imposed on them by the institution.
Parents whose children are on the TESAS scholarship stated that the fees are too much.
The UPNG fee structure is: K4242 is compulsory as Admission and K12,250 for boarding and lodgment.
Therefore, a student regardless of scholarships will be paying K16,492 for a year.
However, the boarding and lodgment varies depending on the student’s gender.
One parent, whose daughter is on HECAS scholarship, told this newsroom that he was asked to pay the Admission fee, plus K2121, a quarter of the lodgment fee of K8,000; and another K250 as bond fee.
He said he paid the fees, but when he brought his daughter to register and collect her room key, he was told to pay another K1099 of the lodgment fee, which he did.
In total he paid K7,712.50, but still has at least K9,000 outstanding.
All students on TESAS scholarship were also told to pay the full fee as no funds from the Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology haven’t hit the UPNG accounts.
Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Pila Niningi earlier this year assured parents that there will be no increase in fees at UPNG this academic year.
This followed from the suspension of the UPNG Council and the appointment of an interim one.
During the interim council’s special meeting on January 23, 2019, the council resolved to rescind the earlier decision to increase tuition and boarding and lodging fees.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was notified of the situation at UPNG, and said he will check and verify.
The Secretary for the Department of Higher Education is yet to respond to emails regarding the matter.