MTSU concerned with increased fees

by Naomi Takoma · Published January 11, 2019 · Updated January 11, 2019

The Morobe Tertiary Student Union (MTSU) is concerned that university students maybe psychologically affected while struggling to meet the required grade point average (GPA) and their increased compulsory fees.

MTSU president Jonathan Mambere said students are working hard to get the required GPA in order to get a scholarship.

Why would the government increase the GPA? And we understand they want to make us competitive, but while we are trying our best to keep our GPA up, another bombshell was thrown at us when State-owned institutions have increased their compulsory fees.
Jonathan Mambere – Morobe Tertiary Students Union president.

He said students are caught in between either to worry about the GPA or the compulsory fee which will affect them psychologically.

All students are bright and have their own pace of study, some can study or learn under pressure while others cannot. It is not something we have control over.
Mambere

He said the government should look at the psychological reality and what they are imposing on the stakeholders and students.

University of Papua New Guinea student Vendenberg Guimaip said many people live under the poverty line therefore most students will not be able to register and attend classes.

Amid this fact, the government has increased the tax on goods and services tax and now schools are increasing their compulsory fees, giving our parents an extra burden.
Vanderberg Guimaip – UPNG student

He said almost 80 to 90 per cent of the PNG population are poor and are still faced with increased taxes and GST. Mr Guimaip said workers with yearly pay of K12,500 and below will not pay tax but the government is killing them with GST. He said the government must be fair to the people and see the struggle of parents and the students.