Difference between PNG secondary school system and Solomon Islands secondary level USP-tailored foundation program is a challenge with the PNG-SI scholarship grant utilization.
According to the PNG High School system, a student is eligible to apply for an university admission after completing grade 12.
However for Solomon Islands secondary system, a student has to complete Form 7 USP Foundation programs before applying for a university admission given the best aggregate.
Solomon Islands have to bypass form 6 (South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment) (SPBEA) which is equivalents to PNG’s grade 12. After, they are required to sit for the form 7 exams being tailored to the USP Foundation program.
PNG High Commission Officer-in Charge, Tommy Angau during an interview yesterday said the difference of secondary school system has been the cause for the delay to utilize the scholarship scheme for the past two years.
Under an MOU signed in 2013 by Foreign Ministers of both countries, PNG Government will sponsor 800 students from Solomon Islands to study in various tertiary institutions in PNG from 2014-2018.
The scholarship grant will cover tuition fees, boarding fees, administration, airfares and allowances.
Mr Angau explained that the PNG education department have been working on to adjust the system and the input of mechanism to guide the scholarship scheme.
“The issue at hand is the putting in place mechanism to support the scholarship scheme.
“We have to set a guideline, work plan and analyze the budget,” Mr Angau said.
A total of 40 students have been awarded their scholarship over the weekend at the High Commissioners office in Honiara which was witnessed by representatives from the PNG’s Ministry Higher Education and PNG Foreign Affairs and diplomats.
They will be undertaking their studies in various fields at different institutions like University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), University of Goroka (UOG), University of Technology (UniTech), Pacific Adventist University (PAU), Taurama School of Medicine and Maritime and College.
Mr Angau said that the current assistance to sponsor students is a testimony to the PNG government’s commitment to its neighbour.
“We hope that through assisting in developing the students, we contribute to the betterment of livelihood in Solomon Islands.
“It also shows our strengthening and fostering of Melanesian brotherhood to a new height.”
Mr Angau said that education always remains an apex priority of PNG government thus they ensure students are given the chance to undertake studies at the tertiary level.
He said that by next year the scholarship recipients will increase to 200.
“We have 760 more scholarships to be awarded.
“Scholarships will be provided on annual basis until it lapses in 2018,” Mr Angau said.
The PNG High Commission Officer-in Charge congratulated the students and wishes them the best in their studies.
Some of the students have already early this week for registration at their respective institutions.
By TEDDY KAFO
