Recommendations have been made by educationists in the Eastern Highlands province to have the Tuition Fee Free policy reviewed.
A week long training on the District Education Implementation Committee’s roles and responsibilities saw members of the new committee, come up with recommendations on how the TFF policy can work effectively.
The group made up of District Education Managers, Inspectors, head Teachers, officers, women’s and church representatives from the Obura-Wonenara, Okapa and Lufa districts, said there is a lot of gaps in the TFF policy and recommended it should be reviewed.
They also want the decentralization of school funds, for funds to be transferred back to the districts and not be managed from Goroka.
“That way we know how much actually goes to the schools. Right now we only get skeletons. Acquittal reports are done and given. Actual materials are not seen,” says Dickson Penia who is the Okapa District Education Manager.
The Committee also suggested the establishment of TFF Task Force that will ensure there is prudent management of funds.
All the recommendations were noted by the Education Department’s first Assistant Secretary Camilus Kanau.