The Papua New Guinea Government will pay 70 per cent of tertiary education fees for students covered by the Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme (TESAS), following Cabinet approval of a revised cost-sharing arrangement.

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Kinoka Feo announced the change in Parliament, saying parents and guardians would now be responsible for the remaining 30 per cent. The new arrangement reverses the previous policy, under which families paid the larger share of fees.

“Cabinet has already given approval to reverse it, so the Government will now pay 70 percent and parents will pay 30 percent,” Mr Feo said.

The minister said the change was intended to reduce the financial pressure on families and help more students continue their studies at universities and colleges.

He also pointed to the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), administered by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), as an additional source of support for students whose families cannot meet the 30 per cent contribution.

“Given that if kids are not able to afford that 30 percent, HELP will now cover that 30 percent, so making higher education accessible to every kid in Papua New Guinea,” he said.

Mr Feo said the revised policy reflected the Prime Minister’s vision that financial hardship should not prevent young people from pursuing higher education. He added that the Government was increasing its support for students and tertiary institutions through both the new TESAS cost-sharing arrangement and expanded HELP assistance.

The minister encouraged students and parents to understand their responsibilities under the revised arrangement, while noting that eligible students unable to afford their share could seek assistance through HELP.