Opposition Leader Don Polye challenged the National Government to meet its funding commitment to the University of Papua New Guinea.
The leader of the alternative government commented after UPNG University Council reached a decision to increase students’ school fee to meet the national government shortfall.
In a statement, acting chancellor, Dr Nicholas Mann, said: “Despite the decision by the NEC to provide K12 million as funding to support the recommencement of teaching and learning activities to complete Semesters 1 and 2 of the 2016 Academic Year, no funds have been released by the Government to date.”
Polye said, “The Prime Minister promised that K12 million will be released before the close of the government accounts (last year) but this has turned out to be another lip-service and a lie from the CEO of this nation.
“It’s unfair that students are made to pay for the revised 2016 academic year."
The Opposition Leader urged the UPNG administration to be lenient on the students.
“If the students are forced to foot the cost of the revised 2016 academic year, I urge the UPNG administration not be harsh on the students but allow them to pay on instalments over a period of time,” Polye said.