EHPG BOOST OVERSIGHT OF SCHOOL FEE PROGRAM

CAPTION: Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia in a recent presentation of school fees. INSET: Program Coordinator Terry Kenneth

BY VICKY BAUNKE, Goroka

THE Eastern Highlands Provincial Government has strengthened the monitoring of its tertiary school fee assistance program following accountability concerns over the initial rollout in 2023.

An K8 million allocation was made in 2023, with K1 million distributed to each of the province’s eight districts.

However, reports and acquittals were not returned to the Provincial Government as required according to Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia.

From 2024, two officers Terry Kenneth and Robert Wilson were appointed through the Governor’s Office to oversee the implementation and monitoring of the program.

The program has since recorded allocations of K4.1 million in 2024, K5.3 million in 2025 and K6.2 million in 2026.

According to Program Coordinator Terry Kenneth the oversight has contributed to the successful expansion of the program so far.