Reassesing the responsiblity and availability of tertiary education

The last five years has seen a steady decrease in the budget allocations for the tertiary institutions. This picture is not going to change in the life of the present government nor do we expect it to revert to the situation 10 years ago, where students were practically given a free place and all the perks that went with it on a silver plater. Those days are long gone.

Free education and highly subsidised tertiary education are a thing of the past and rightly so, there is no place for this cargo mentality in a poor third world country like PNG. 

The economy just cannot continue providing highly subsidised tertiary education while trying to provide "free  education" at the primary and high school levels. It is impossible.

The user pay policy is what we have to live with and is what the people of this country have come to expect of higher education. It has taken time to sink in, but people have come to accept the fact that nothing is free these days. One has to pay for what one gets and education whether it be at the tertiary or primary level is no exception.

However in order for that understanding to be reinforced it is only fair that advance warning is given to those studying at these institutions so that contingency plans are put into place, if cuts are to be made. 

It is common courtesy that students or their sponsors, in most cases their parents, are informed in advance of any changes in store for them so they can look at other options available.

Last year, there was talk already that there would be a restructure of the courses offered at the University of Papua New Guinea. 

However there was no warning that the restructure would take effect immediately resulting in displaced students or new intakes missing out altogether. Now that is grossly unfair and irresponsible of the authorities starting with the university councils and ending with the main culprit, the national government through its budget cuts. 

Their failure in coming out with straight talking has meant students being misled into applying for places which would not be available come the school year at these institutions. 

This week saw a double blow served by the two universities, UPNG announcing that it was forced to discontinue three faculties, Creative Arts, Media and Library Studies and the Allied Health Sciences. The next day Unitech in Lae announced that there will cut backs at their campus too. These announcements again coming less then a month before the academic year begins at these two institutions is unforgivable. Why wait until now to make the announcement -why wasn't this announced already at the end of the academic year last year so that people prepare to look elsewhere for further education.

It is now time to take stock of what is possible and what can be achieved to take place of the vacume created by these institutions inability to offer places for those interested in pursuing a higher education. The two main universities and their campuses cannot meet the demands of our aspiring scholars. These institutions were built 30 years ago to cater for a small elite group, the facilities have not grown nor has the budget been able to accommodate the demands of today's needs.

The country needs institutions to train its manpower needs. It is self defeating to underfund or close these institutions because of the government's inability to offer alternate avenues and options for tertiary education.

If the national government cannot adequately fund these institutions then the provinces or regions should take up the challenge and make it happen. 

We cannot continue to depend on the national government to lead the way. If our leaders are genuine about integral human development then they should be prepared to show the way. Why not pool the provinces resources and provide alternate venues for tertiary or technical training such as building and staffing technical or polytechnical institution outside of Port Moresby? 

Our country needs far-sighted leaders who have the best interest of our people at heart and who are prepared to take the plunge to make opportunities available to our children, the future leaders of these country. These leaders should stand up now and be counted.

This is the last year of the twentieth century and while the rest of the world is marching forward, PNG is still floundering, unsure of its future. It will continue to do that so long as our leaders are willing to let it flounder.

We  cannot build a democratic and just society unless our children's education and the educational institutions are geared to achieving these objectives.