students boycott

The SMHS were supposed to resume classes today while the main campus next week however, Medfac has decided to continue with the boycott.

Male student representative Hermin Peamo says they’ll continue with this fight as they’ve come a long way and fought a good fight.

The leaders, including course leaders and members of the UPNG Student Representative Council, made the decision last night during a meeting.

“We have talked about all possible avenues regarding our academic studies and have decided that we will continue to stand in this fight.

The decision was announced today by the university council following 10 days of suspension.

The continuation of semester one will take place on June 13, which is a public holiday. This is so classes will kick off on Tuesday, June 14, while the medical students will commence classes on June 6.

UPNG acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said the suspension has given the council ample time to reorganise the academic calendar and also for the students to think things through.

The 2016 academic calendar is now extended by another three weeks past schedule.

EHP provincial police commander Alex N’Drasal would not allow the University of Technology and University of Goroka students conduct their awareness due the death of UOG acting vice-chancellor Dr John Kola.

This was what Unitech SRC committee deputy chairman and Eastern Highlands student leader, Livingstone Fontenu, told Loop PNG today.

“Almost 3000-4000 people turned up at our first forum in Goroka,” Fontenu said.

The university council on Tuesday suspended classes for an indefinite period and the students were told to vacate campus within 48 hours.

The SRC have notified that they are working around the clock to get a stay order for the suspension of classes and to remove the police presence on campus.

In a notice from the SRC circulated throughout the campus, the administration will not remove them from campus unless and until the following demands by the students are met by Thursday, May 26.

Gumine MP and Minister for Education Nick Kuman is calling on students to stop the boycott as they’ve lost three weeks of classes and the first semester will end next month.

He said students can resort to boycott when there are issues affecting their welfare or the quality of education provided at their tertiary institutions, but not political issues.

“It’s important that you don’t play other people’s agenda in trying to pursue something that you know there’s no end to it.

No end in sight for student boycotts

http://www.looppng.com/content/no-end-sight-student-boycotts

Students at the University of Papua New Guinea who have been boycotting classes for three weeks are pondering their next move after the Prime Minister ignored their ultimatum to step down.

Court set hearing date of PM’s appeal

In a letter to the UPNG SRC, O’Neill thanked the SRC for the petition presented on Thursday May 19, to him by NCD Governor Powes Parkop.

In the letter, O’Neill advised that the petition contained issues which are technical in legal in nature.

“As such it will require proper due diligence and advice from the State Agencies before any response is delivered to you.

“You will note that some of the issues are in Court therefore legal advice is required so that we are not in breach or contemptuous of Court Orders and proceedings.

Health Secretary clears air over Dr Niblett’s future

http://www.looppng.com/content/health-secretary-clears-air-over-dr-niblett%E2%80%99s-future

The Papua New Guinea National Department of Health (NDoH) is working towards establishing programs that will support prevention, screening and early detection in reducing the incidence of cancer.

Students gather to hear response to their petition

Their petition was received by the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill yesterday (Thursday May 19).

The students have boycotted classes for 20 days as of today.

They will soon receive responses from the UPNG Senate and the Prime Minister's Office.

The UPNG Student SRC has given a 24 hours ultimatum for O'Neill to respond to their petition which was 3pm today.

The Health Workers Union will also deliver their stance today during this forum. 

The student body included students from secondary schools in the national capital as well as the Port Moresby Technical College.

In a media statement shortly after receiving the petition from the students, which was delivered to him by NCD Governor Powes Parkop, the  Prime Minister said,

“I have received the petition from the UPNG Student Representative Council.

“I thank the students for the mature manner in which the petition was presented to my delegation.