NO GTFS FUNDING FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

ELEMENTARY schools in Papua New Guinea will no longer receive Tuition-Free Fee (TFF) grants starting this year, as the government moves to phase them out under the 1-6-6 School Restructure.

This decision marks a significant shift in the allocation of education funding, with all TFF grants now being directed exclusively to primary schools.

Provincial authorities have been instructed to submit their respective school cluster plans to the Department of Education by March 31, 2025, to ensure a smooth transition.

Elementary schools that fail to establish clear feeder alignments with primary schools will miss out on funding entirely, as announced by Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra.

The restructuring aims to streamline resources and create a more efficient education system by consolidating TFF grants at the primary school level.

In circular instructions issued to provincial education offices, Secretary Kombra emphasized the need for immediate action to align elementary schools with primary schools under the new cluster system.