The University of Papua New Guinea council has confirmed that the 2018 school fee structure will not be enforced as initially stated.
The council has agreed to apply the 2017 school fee structure where students are now required to pay K2,939 as compulsory tuition fee to be eligible for enrolment.
The decision to slash the revised K7,500 compulsory tuition fee to K2,939 was reached after the 24th January meeting with stakeholders.
The proposed increase raised a lot of concerns, therefore the council has resolved for the 2017 compulsory fee be applied in 2018 based on the government commitment of K17 million as additional budgetary support in 2018.
The council standing committee has now deferred the implementation of the 2018 school fee structure.
The council explained that UPNG needs K224 million to sustain its operations in this academic year, however, the government allocated only K51.3 million.
The proposed increase was for UPNG to remain viable.
The council said for now, they are optimistic that the government will honour its K17 million commitment.
When asked what actions they will take in the event that the government fails, the council said they would reserve their comments and added they will definitely reconvene to map out their alternatives.
Meanwhile, the revised 2018 school fee structure is available on the UPNG website and students, parents and sponsors are urged to visit the website for more information.
(From left: Acting vice chancellor Vincent Malaibe, acting chancellor Nicholas Mann and acting pro vice chancellor – academic & student affairs – Professor Mange Matui)