Increase Goods and Services Tax (GST) to cater for free education to all Papua New Guineans

Ken Fairweather, MP, Member for SUMKAR

The time has come for genuine, wide ranging, national debate on the best way to ensure that every children in Papua New Guinea has access to a complete school education. In the most developed and in many developing countries education is regarded as a right not a privilege. Because it is a right, it is available without compulsory school fees in the public education system.

The payment of school fees by Papua New Guinea's parents is a mental and physical burden
on our whole society, and it is a burden that is not shared equally and fairly. Finding the funds to pay school fees reduces a significant section of the population to beggars, thieves and prostitutes. Increasingly it, is driving people into the death grip of loan sharks.

Even more worryingly the old are being forced to contribute to the burden of meeting
school fees. The whole structure of community living and giving is being paralysed by this
burden. It is on the minds of parents, their children and grand parents and other relatives
24/7.

Because school fees are compulsory and are imposed without any regard to the capacity of
parents to pay, our literary levels are stuck in the 50's percent plus area- That is where they
have been for years-and they are not significant progressing as our nation grows. While 70 percent of children have some education, just two thirds of children entering school at grade one will complete grade six. And it gets worse from then on- just over one
third of grade six students go on to grades even.

There are several reasons why our school attendance and retention levels are simply not
good enough.We have not built enough schools, we have not trained enough teachers, and
we continue to charge everyone regardless of income-to send their children to school.
If we are to lift literacy to acceptable levels, and ensure that 100 percent of our children
have access to a basic education, we simply have to abolish school fees.

Recent research shows school fees can be abolished by increasing G. S. T. to 15 percent - and
that revenue raised be directly spent and abolishing school fees. Increasing the goods and services tax (G.S.T.) will mean that everyone- including politicians, the well off, business people, tourists, foreign workers and everyone else will contribute towards the school fees -and the more they buy, the more they contribute.

What we must NOT do is be scared of claims that an increase in the G.S.T will be too much
of a burden. Nonsense! The effect of a 15% GST will be an extra 15t on a 1 kg of rice- and K4,000 on an K80.000 car. If anyone can afford to buy a K80,000.00 car, they can afford the extra GST as a contribution to the education of the nation's children.

Lifting the burden of having to raise school fees will make families and communities
happier. People will have more money to spend on food, on clothes and the necessities of
life. They will have more time to enjoy life without the ever present worry of how they are
going to pay to educate their children. There may also be a spin-off benefit in that the village market prices may actually fall. There will be less pressure to raise income.

Apart from the fact that raising the GST will ensure that the cost is shared- and the greatest
share will be met by those who are available to afford it. By international standards our GST is not high and it will not be high if it is increased to 15 percent. The GST in Uruguay is 22%, Turkey is 18%, China is 17%, and Barbados and England is 15%. We cannot afford to wait for the promised land of LNG project revenue windfalls. That is 6 to 10 years away.

WE NEED TO MOVE NOW! And ease the burden of school fees on families and lift our
school attendance rates. I intend to introduce a proposal into the national parliament requiring the Treasury to plan for the introduction of a 15 % GST, accompanied by the abolition of school fees, from the start of the 2010 school year. That step will force the issue to be debated. It will force Members of Parliament to stand up and be counted.

I would welcome your views and l would especially welcome your support. The contact
details are set out below. But the time for talking and promising is over. The time for action has arrived.

Hon. Ken Fairweather, MP
Member for Sumkar Open
P. O. Box Parliament Haus
Waigani, N.C.D. Papua New Guinea

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Increase Goods and Services Tax (GST) to cater for free education to all Papua New Guineans

Ken Fairweather, MP, Member for SUMKAR

The time has come for genuine, wide ranging, national debate on the best way to ensure that every children in Papua New Guinea has access to a complete school education. In the most developed and in many developing countries education is regarded as a right not a privilege. Because it is a right, it is available without compulsory school fees in the public education system.

The payment of school fees by Papua New Guinea's parents is a mental and physical burden
on our whole society, and it is a burden that is not shared equally and fairly. Finding the funds to pay school fees reduces a significant section of the population to beggars, thieves and prostitutes. Increasingly it, is driving people into the death grip of loan sharks.

Even more worryingly the old are being forced to contribute to the burden of meeting
school fees. The whole structure of community living and giving is being paralysed by this
burden. It is on the minds of parents, their children and grand parents and other relatives
24/7.

Because school fees are compulsory and are imposed without any regard to the capacity of
parents to pay, our literary levels are stuck in the 50's percent plus area- That is where they
have been for years-and they are not significant progressing as our nation grows. While 70 percent of children have some education, just two thirds of children entering school at grade one will complete grade six. And it gets worse from then on- just over one
third of grade six students go on to grades even.

There are several reasons why our school attendance and retention levels are simply not
good enough.We have not built enough schools, we have not trained enough teachers, and
we continue to charge everyone regardless of income-to send their children to school.
If we are to lift literacy to acceptable levels, and ensure that 100 percent of our children
have access to a basic education, we simply have to abolish school fees.

Recent research shows school fees can be abolished by increasing G. S. T. to 15 percent - and
that revenue raised be directly spent and abolishing school fees. Increasing the goods and services tax (G.S.T.) will mean that everyone- including politicians, the well off, business people, tourists, foreign workers and everyone else will contribute towards the school fees -and the more they buy, the more they contribute.

What we must NOT do is be scared of claims that an increase in the G.S.T will be too much
of a burden. Nonsense! The effect of a 15% GST will be an extra 15t on a 1 kg of rice- and K4,000 on an K80.000 car. If anyone can afford to buy a K80,000.00 car, they can afford the extra GST as a contribution to the education of the nation's children.

Lifting the burden of having to raise school fees will make families and communities
happier. People will have more money to spend on food, on clothes and the necessities of
life. They will have more time to enjoy life without the ever present worry of how they are
going to pay to educate their children. There may also be a spin-off benefit in that the village market prices may actually fall. There will be less pressure to raise income.

Apart from the fact that raising the GST will ensure that the cost is shared- and the greatest
share will be met by those who are available to afford it. By international standards our GST is not high and it will not be high if it is increased to 15 percent. The GST in Uruguay is 22%, Turkey is 18%, China is 17%, and Barbados and England is 15%. We cannot afford to wait for the promised land of LNG project revenue windfalls. That is 6 to 10 years away.

WE NEED TO MOVE NOW! And ease the burden of school fees on families and lift our
school attendance rates. I intend to introduce a proposal into the national parliament requiring the Treasury to plan for the introduction of a 15 % GST, accompanied by the abolition of school fees, from the start of the 2010 school year. That step will force the issue to be debated. It will force Members of Parliament to stand up and be counted.

I would welcome your views and l would especially welcome your support. The contact
details are set out below. But the time for talking and promising is over. The time for action has arrived.

Hon. Ken Fairweather, MP
Member for Sumkar Open
P. O. Box Parliament Haus
Waigani, N.C.D. Papua New Guinea

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Increase Goods and Services Tax (GST) to cater for free education to all Papua New Guineans

Ken Fairweather, MP, Member for SUMKAR

The time has come for genuine, wide ranging, national debate on the best way to ensure that every children in Papua New Guinea has access to a complete school education. In the most developed and in many developing countries education is regarded as a right not a privilege. Because it is a right, it is available without compulsory school fees in the public education system.

The payment of school fees by Papua New Guinea's parents is a mental and physical burden
on our whole society, and it is a burden that is not shared equally and fairly. Finding the funds to pay school fees reduces a significant section of the population to beggars, thieves and prostitutes. Increasingly it, is driving people into the death grip of loan sharks.

Even more worryingly the old are being forced to contribute to the burden of meeting
school fees. The whole structure of community living and giving is being paralysed by this
burden. It is on the minds of parents, their children and grand parents and other relatives
24/7.

Because school fees are compulsory and are imposed without any regard to the capacity of
parents to pay, our literary levels are stuck in the 50's percent plus area- That is where they
have been for years-and they are not significant progressing as our nation grows. While 70 percent of children have some education, just two thirds of children entering school at grade one will complete grade six. And it gets worse from then on- just over one
third of grade six students go on to grades even.

There are several reasons why our school attendance and retention levels are simply not
good enough.We have not built enough schools, we have not trained enough teachers, and
we continue to charge everyone regardless of income-to send their children to school.
If we are to lift literacy to acceptable levels, and ensure that 100 percent of our children
have access to a basic education, we simply have to abolish school fees.

Recent research shows school fees can be abolished by increasing G. S. T. to 15 percent - and
that revenue raised be directly spent and abolishing school fees. Increasing the goods and services tax (G.S.T.) will mean that everyone- including politicians, the well off, business people, tourists, foreign workers and everyone else will contribute towards the school fees -and the more they buy, the more they contribute.

What we must NOT do is be scared of claims that an increase in the G.S.T will be too much
of a burden. Nonsense! The effect of a 15% GST will be an extra 15t on a 1 kg of rice- and K4,000 on an K80.000 car. If anyone can afford to buy a K80,000.00 car, they can afford the extra GST as a contribution to the education of the nation's children.

Lifting the burden of having to raise school fees will make families and communities
happier. People will have more money to spend on food, on clothes and the necessities of
life. They will have more time to enjoy life without the ever present worry of how they are
going to pay to educate their children. There may also be a spin-off benefit in that the village market prices may actually fall. There will be less pressure to raise income.

Apart from the fact that raising the GST will ensure that the cost is shared- and the greatest
share will be met by those who are available to afford it. By international standards our GST is not high and it will not be high if it is increased to 15 percent. The GST in Uruguay is 22%, Turkey is 18%, China is 17%, and Barbados and England is 15%. We cannot afford to wait for the promised land of LNG project revenue windfalls. That is 6 to 10 years away.

WE NEED TO MOVE NOW! And ease the burden of school fees on families and lift our
school attendance rates. I intend to introduce a proposal into the national parliament requiring the Treasury to plan for the introduction of a 15 % GST, accompanied by the abolition of school fees, from the start of the 2010 school year. That step will force the issue to be debated. It will force Members of Parliament to stand up and be counted.

I would welcome your views and l would especially welcome your support. The contact
details are set out below. But the time for talking and promising is over. The time for action has arrived.

Hon. Ken Fairweather, MP
Member for Sumkar Open
P. O. Box Parliament Haus
Waigani, N.C.D. Papua New Guinea

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Keeping Papua New Guinea Cultures Alive at the Divine Word University (DWU)

By NAOMI AISI, BENBERT WASA and ANITA KONGA*

Papuan students at the Divine Word University (DWU), Madang province, recently celebrated the 124th anniversary of the first missionaries to arrive in Central province. The president of the Central Students Association, Varage Geno, said the presentation was to tell other students about the province, its cultures and traditions, and the impact of western influence on their society.

He said funds raised for the function would go towards their youth awareness programme at the end of the year at Gabagaba village in Central province.It was a fun-filled and loud night.Students presented traditional dances, renowned Peroveta songs, drama and Pacific Island dances.

The performers divided into three groups to represent the districts of Kairuku, Rigo-Abau and Motu-Koitabu. The Motu-Koitabu group performed the famous historical Hiri trade.The Kairuku and Rigo-Abau students performed the first coming of the missionaries to their areas.

It was a successful night, with DWU students and well-wishers from around the community and Madang town filling up the auditorium to applaud and cheer the presentations.

For more pictures about the cultural activities at Divine Word University in Madang, click here.

* Aisi, Wasa, and Konga are journalism students attending Divine Word University, Madang, PNG

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Keeping Papua New Guinea Cultures Alive at the Divine Word University (DWU)

By NAOMI AISI, BENBERT WASA and ANITA KONGA*

Papuan students at the Divine Word University (DWU), Madang province, recently celebrated the 124th anniversary of the first missionaries to arrive in Central province. The president of the Central Students Association, Varage Geno, said the presentation was to tell other students about the province, its cultures and traditions, and the impact of western influence on their society.

He said funds raised for the function would go towards their youth awareness programme at the end of the year at Gabagaba village in Central province.It was a fun-filled and loud night.Students presented traditional dances, renowned Peroveta songs, drama and Pacific Island dances.

The performers divided into three groups to represent the districts of Kairuku, Rigo-Abau and Motu-Koitabu. The Motu-Koitabu group performed the famous historical Hiri trade.The Kairuku and Rigo-Abau students performed the first coming of the missionaries to their areas.

It was a successful night, with DWU students and well-wishers from around the community and Madang town filling up the auditorium to applaud and cheer the presentations.

For more pictures about the cultural activities at Divine Word University in Madang, click here.

* Aisi, Wasa, and Konga are journalism students attending Divine Word University, Madang, PNG

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Keeping Papua New Guinea Cultures Alive at the Divine Word University (DWU)

By NAOMI AISI, BENBERT WASA and ANITA KONGA*

Papuan students at the Divine Word University (DWU), Madang province, recently celebrated the 124th anniversary of the first missionaries to arrive in Central province. The president of the Central Students Association, Varage Geno, said the presentation was to tell other students about the province, its cultures and traditions, and the impact of western influence on their society.

He said funds raised for the function would go towards their youth awareness programme at the end of the year at Gabagaba village in Central province.It was a fun-filled and loud night.Students presented traditional dances, renowned Peroveta songs, drama and Pacific Island dances.

The performers divided into three groups to represent the districts of Kairuku, Rigo-Abau and Motu-Koitabu. The Motu-Koitabu group performed the famous historical Hiri trade.The Kairuku and Rigo-Abau students performed the first coming of the missionaries to their areas.

It was a successful night, with DWU students and well-wishers from around the community and Madang town filling up the auditorium to applaud and cheer the presentations.

For more pictures about the cultural activities at Divine Word University in Madang, click here.

* Aisi, Wasa, and Konga are journalism students attending Divine Word University, Madang, PNG

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Govt flags K10 billion education plan for all

The Government is determined to reduce the increasing number of school aged children who are out of school through the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) plan which aims to achieve 100 % enrolments for the same group by 2018.Education Minister James Marape said this week that this undertaking was consolidated at the recent PNG-Australia ministerial forum in Brisbane, with Australia pledging its support for the national UBE framework.

The Department of Education’s UBE plan 2009-18 is in line with United Nations guidelines and promotes the objective of increasing enrolments from elementary to Grade Eight and ensures those who cannot go on to Grade Nine can enter technical skills training and relevant career paths.“During the time-span of the plan, we would further subsidise fees for students in elementary to primary and are looking at an estimated cost of K10 billion.

Children of PNG are eager to go to school and learn new stuff if this news becomes a reality and plans work out well as mentioned

At the same time we are mindful of the influx of school leavers at the end of Grade Eight,” Mr Marape said.“To extend the UBE framework after 2018 and taking into account the huge influx at the end of Grade Eight, the Australian government and other donor agencies would be invited to co-fund our national programmes, and they would be assisting in a big way,” he added.

The minister iterated that the department would ensure the education system was expanded in a big way where there would be four regional technical schools set up together with the existing technical schools having the Australian Pacific Technical College (APTC) level for students to be able to attain an internationally recognised technical training qualification.Under the expanded UBE policy, PNG would achieve enrolment of 70% of school aged children by 2015.

These guys from Goroka, E.H.P. are so excited that they can't wait to go to school

Meanwhile, announcing the release of the 2009 education subsidies, the minister warned that the department would be auditing programmes within schools to ensure there was transparency and accountability in how education fee subsidies were used.

Source: The National News

*** This is good music to listen to for poor parents (myself included) who over the years reached deeper into their pockets to pay for their children's school fees. However, I wonder how the government would make available all the funds to cater for this immense plan because the current education subsidies are not reaching the schools and as the papers reported, most of the schools were closed a week early for the second term.

Those of us who are keen supporters of education really want to see adequate funding that is necessary to implement this proposal. Otherwise, this is another rhetoric for major political parties and their leaders to lure voters in 2012. You know what's happening in 2012, right?

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Govt flags K10 billion education plan for all

The Government is determined to reduce the increasing number of school aged children who are out of school through the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) plan which aims to achieve 100 % enrolments for the same group by 2018.Education Minister James Marape said this week that this undertaking was consolidated at the recent PNG-Australia ministerial forum in Brisbane, with Australia pledging its support for the national UBE framework.

The Department of Education’s UBE plan 2009-18 is in line with United Nations guidelines and promotes the objective of increasing enrolments from elementary to Grade Eight and ensures those who cannot go on to Grade Nine can enter technical skills training and relevant career paths.“During the time-span of the plan, we would further subsidise fees for students in elementary to primary and are looking at an estimated cost of K10 billion.

Children of PNG are eager to go to school and learn new stuff if this news becomes a reality and plans work out well as mentioned

At the same time we are mindful of the influx of school leavers at the end of Grade Eight,” Mr Marape said.“To extend the UBE framework after 2018 and taking into account the huge influx at the end of Grade Eight, the Australian government and other donor agencies would be invited to co-fund our national programmes, and they would be assisting in a big way,” he added.

The minister iterated that the department would ensure the education system was expanded in a big way where there would be four regional technical schools set up together with the existing technical schools having the Australian Pacific Technical College (APTC) level for students to be able to attain an internationally recognised technical training qualification.Under the expanded UBE policy, PNG would achieve enrolment of 70% of school aged children by 2015.

These guys from Goroka, E.H.P. are so excited that they can't wait to go to school

Meanwhile, announcing the release of the 2009 education subsidies, the minister warned that the department would be auditing programmes within schools to ensure there was transparency and accountability in how education fee subsidies were used.

Source: The National News

*** This is good music to listen to for poor parents (myself included) who over the years reached deeper into their pockets to pay for their children's school fees. However, I wonder how the government would make available all the funds to cater for this immense plan because the current education subsidies are not reaching the schools and as the papers reported, most of the schools were closed a week early for the second term.

Those of us who are keen supporters of education really want to see adequate funding that is necessary to implement this proposal. Otherwise, this is another rhetoric for major political parties and their leaders to lure voters in 2012. You know what's happening in 2012, right?

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Govt flags K10 billion education plan for all

The Government is determined to reduce the increasing number of school aged children who are out of school through the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) plan which aims to achieve 100 % enrolments for the same group by 2018.Education Minister James Marape said this week that this undertaking was consolidated at the recent PNG-Australia ministerial forum in Brisbane, with Australia pledging its support for the national UBE framework.

The Department of Education’s UBE plan 2009-18 is in line with United Nations guidelines and promotes the objective of increasing enrolments from elementary to Grade Eight and ensures those who cannot go on to Grade Nine can enter technical skills training and relevant career paths.“During the time-span of the plan, we would further subsidise fees for students in elementary to primary and are looking at an estimated cost of K10 billion.

Children of PNG are eager to go to school and learn new stuff if this news becomes a reality and plans work out well as mentioned

At the same time we are mindful of the influx of school leavers at the end of Grade Eight,” Mr Marape said.“To extend the UBE framework after 2018 and taking into account the huge influx at the end of Grade Eight, the Australian government and other donor agencies would be invited to co-fund our national programmes, and they would be assisting in a big way,” he added.

The minister iterated that the department would ensure the education system was expanded in a big way where there would be four regional technical schools set up together with the existing technical schools having the Australian Pacific Technical College (APTC) level for students to be able to attain an internationally recognised technical training qualification.Under the expanded UBE policy, PNG would achieve enrolment of 70% of school aged children by 2015.

These guys from Goroka, E.H.P. are so excited that they can't wait to go to school

Meanwhile, announcing the release of the 2009 education subsidies, the minister warned that the department would be auditing programmes within schools to ensure there was transparency and accountability in how education fee subsidies were used.

Source: The National News

*** This is good music to listen to for poor parents (myself included) who over the years reached deeper into their pockets to pay for their children's school fees. However, I wonder how the government would make available all the funds to cater for this immense plan because the current education subsidies are not reaching the schools and as the papers reported, most of the schools were closed a week early for the second term.

Those of us who are keen supporters of education really want to see adequate funding that is necessary to implement this proposal. Otherwise, this is another rhetoric for major political parties and their leaders to lure voters in 2012. You know what's happening in 2012, right?

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School enrollments in Papua New Guinea

It's over a week now that schools are in full swing with their classes. Many Papua New Guinea parents who have kids in school are either having trouble finding school fees or looking for available spaces in community, primary, high, or secondary schools to enroll their kids.

I; as a brother, mentor, and guardian of my two brothers, Solomon and Johna have difficulty paying fees for the two siblings as well as couple of nieces let alone finding spaces for them to enroll. However, both Solomon and John were selected to go to a high school but due to some unsolved conflicts and frequent transportation problems at that high school; I asked that they try finding spaces in a school where they could have excess to reliable transportation as well as their safeties while in school.

I called all the schools around Western Highlands Province but I was told that all spaces available were full and that they didn't want to entertain any transfers. That left me baffled because I really wanted my siblings to get a good education. I was so desperate to look for spaces for both Solo and Johna. I tried all the options that I had but never worked according to my expectations. Now, I tried to use a bait to catch the attention of those so called school principals in high and secondary schools.

I offered them two options; 1) I told them that both Solo and Johna would pay in full the required parents' component of the school fees; and

2) I offered to donate a laptop to a principal who accepts both Solo and Johna to enroll in their school.

Above: Johna Ketepa Ulg (L) and Solomon Ketepa Ulg (third from left) very anxious to enroll at school even though, they were a week behind of the normal school schedule

I got positive responses from the schools that we approached where we got negative responses prior. This leaves me with an impression that; school principals and their deputies are offering available spaces in schools to those poor parents and their kids who are so desperate to enroll there for a better education and a brighter future for a gift in return. This sickens me because it sabotages students' learning for a brighter future. This reminds me of the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich who wanted to sell the Illinois senator seat left vacant by President Barack Obama before he became president.

What kind of scenario is this in Papua New Guinea's schools? Are these principals playing a fair game? Does this sound like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, and bribery? Those of you in Papua New Guinea have a better idea of what's mentioned here than I do because I am miles and miles away from home. Perhaps, some of you who're at universities, colleges, or even out in the field working, might have experienced this or were in this bandwagon at some point during your life in education.

In the meantime, I will solemnly adhere to fulfill the two options mentioned above because I want the best for my brothers. For Solomon, Johna, and their peers throughout the country; don't forget that; "YOUR EDUCATION IS YOUR LIFE SO GUIDE IT WELL"

School enrollments in Papua New Guinea

It's over a week now that schools are in full swing with their classes. Many Papua New Guinea parents who have kids in school are either having trouble finding school fees or looking for available spaces in community, primary, high, or secondary schools to enroll their kids.

I; as a brother, mentor, and guardian of my two brothers, Solomon and Johna have difficulty paying fees for the two siblings as well as couple of nieces let alone finding spaces for them to enroll. However, both Solomon and John were selected to go to a high school but due to some unsolved conflicts and frequent transportation problems at that high school; I asked that they try finding spaces in a school where they could have excess to reliable transportation as well as their safeties while in school.

I called all the schools around Western Highlands Province but I was told that all spaces available were full and that they didn't want to entertain any transfers. That left me baffled because I really wanted my siblings to get a good education. I was so desperate to look for spaces for both Solo and Johna. I tried all the options that I had but never worked according to my expectations. Now, I tried to use a bait to catch the attention of those so called school principals in high and secondary schools.

I offered them two options; 1) I told them that both Solo and Johna would pay in full the required parents' component of the school fees; and

2) I offered to donate a laptop to a principal who accepts both Solo and Johna to enroll in their school.

Above: Johna Ketepa Ulg (L) and Solomon Ketepa Ulg (third from left) very anxious to enroll at school even though, they were a week behind of the normal school schedule

I got positive responses from the schools that we approached where we got negative responses prior. This leaves me with an impression that; school principals and their deputies are offering available spaces in schools to those poor parents and their kids who are so desperate to enroll there for a better education and a brighter future for a gift in return. This sickens me because it sabotages students' learning for a brighter future. This reminds me of the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich who wanted to sell the Illinois senator seat left vacant by President Barack Obama before he became president.

What kind of scenario is this in Papua New Guinea's schools? Are these principals playing a fair game? Does this sound like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, and bribery? Those of you in Papua New Guinea have a better idea of what's mentioned here than I do because I am miles and miles away from home. Perhaps, some of you who're at universities, colleges, or even out in the field working, might have experienced this or were in this bandwagon at some point during your life in education.

In the meantime, I will solemnly adhere to fulfill the two options mentioned above because I want the best for my brothers. For Solomon, Johna, and their peers throughout the country; don't forget that; "YOUR EDUCATION IS YOUR LIFE SO GUIDE IT WELL"

School enrollments in Papua New Guinea

It's over a week now that schools are in full swing with their classes. Many Papua New Guinea parents who have kids in school are either having trouble finding school fees or looking for available spaces in community, primary, high, or secondary schools to enroll their kids.

I; as a brother, mentor, and guardian of my two brothers, Solomon and Johna have difficulty paying fees for the two siblings as well as couple of nieces let alone finding spaces for them to enroll. However, both Solomon and John were selected to go to a high school but due to some unsolved conflicts and frequent transportation problems at that high school; I asked that they try finding spaces in a school where they could have excess to reliable transportation as well as their safeties while in school.

I called all the schools around Western Highlands Province but I was told that all spaces available were full and that they didn't want to entertain any transfers. That left me baffled because I really wanted my siblings to get a good education. I was so desperate to look for spaces for both Solo and Johna. I tried all the options that I had but never worked according to my expectations. Now, I tried to use a bait to catch the attention of those so called school principals in high and secondary schools.

I offered them two options; 1) I told them that both Solo and Johna would pay in full the required parents' component of the school fees; and

2) I offered to donate a laptop to a principal who accepts both Solo and Johna to enroll in their school.

Above: Johna Ketepa Ulg (L) and Solomon Ketepa Ulg (third from left) very anxious to enroll at school even though, they were a week behind of the normal school schedule

I got positive responses from the schools that we approached where we got negative responses prior. This leaves me with an impression that; school principals and their deputies are offering available spaces in schools to those poor parents and their kids who are so desperate to enroll there for a better education and a brighter future for a gift in return. This sickens me because it sabotages students' learning for a brighter future. This reminds me of the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich who wanted to sell the Illinois senator seat left vacant by President Barack Obama before he became president.

What kind of scenario is this in Papua New Guinea's schools? Are these principals playing a fair game? Does this sound like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, and bribery? Those of you in Papua New Guinea have a better idea of what's mentioned here than I do because I am miles and miles away from home. Perhaps, some of you who're at universities, colleges, or even out in the field working, might have experienced this or were in this bandwagon at some point during your life in education.

In the meantime, I will solemnly adhere to fulfill the two options mentioned above because I want the best for my brothers. For Solomon, Johna, and their peers throughout the country; don't forget that; "YOUR EDUCATION IS YOUR LIFE SO GUIDE IT WELL"