PNG Party promises free education

Party-led government will reintroduce its free education policy next year if the current National Alliance-led Government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is removed in this month’s Parliament session.

Making the undertaking, PNG Party leader Belden Namah said if in Government after this month’s parliament session, the free education policy would be re-introduced to relieve Papua New Guinea parents and guardians the burden of meeting the ever-increasing school fees.

As well, Namah has critically queried the current Somare government’s genuineness of providing universal basic education (UBE) for Papua New Guinea.

He questioned the genuineness of a Prime Ministerial announcement on September 16, 2010 on Independence Hill by Sir Michael which promised “to focus on education from this month onwards apart from health, law and order and transport infrastructure concerns”.

Namah stressed that the announcement by Sir Michael should not be taken seriously by the people of this country.

“Is this the same Prime Minister who vowed to scrape the free education policy initiated by the former Mekere Morauta Government before the 2002 general election?” he said.

“Is this the Prime Minister who, true to his words lived up to his promise to abolish free education policy the Morauta Government initiated and implemented during the three short years in office from 1999 to 2002?” Namah asked.

“Surely, this Prime Minister cannot be taken seriously considering the fact that he vehemently opposed free education just over eight years.

“The Prime Minister and his ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ must never be taken seriously by the majority of PNG citizens.

“It is Somare Government who abolished free education the Morauta Government introduced and implemented.

“This is yet another classical example of the Somare Government making public policy on the run.

 It is an announcement made on the spur of the moment due to public pressure.

“Our citizens must not allow themselves to be fooled by this government with grand announcements, promises and sweet talk, which eventually will translate to nothing.

“Instead, the people must be wary of what they are promised, especially in the coming months before the 2012 general election.”

Namah explained that during Sir Mekere’s term as Prime Minister, among other reforms, he shifted public expenditure to concentrate on free education and transport rehabilitation.

“PNG Party record speaks for itself.

“The whole nation including Sir Michael Somare knows about this.

“A government PNG Party is in will reintroduce free education.

“Human resources development is the vital asset for Papua New Guinea’s development.

“Education is a right for all PNG children and it is the Government’s duty to provide that service.

“We will provide that important service because we believe strongly in education and human resources. We believe Papua New Guinea is as good as its educated citizens.

“We will do this is line with the United Nations 2000 Millennium Development Goals which includes universal education as one of the eight priorities of all nations.”