UPNG Medical School

The 30 academics stopped work yesterday and have given the Government one week to respond to their grievances.

The protest is due to the delay in backdated awards; the awards payment of over K5.6 million dates back to January 1, 2014.

Lecturer Dr Pauline Wake, on behalf of the academic staff, said they feel that the medical school is not a priority for the Government.

Wake explained that they have taken this action to get the Government’s attention as well as to show that they play a significant role in the development of this country.

Higher Education Secretary Prof. David Kavanamur revealed this last week in Port Moresby when addressing departmental heads.  

“The University of Papua New Guinea Medical School is in full swing teaching but there will no graduates in 2017 but 2018 because of learning hours being lost (due to the student boycott).”

Meanwhile, the situation at the UPNG main campus has calmed down after police moved into campus yesterday to protect school properties and some students still residing on campus.