H.E.L.P WILL START IN SEMESTER 2 & PHASE OUT OF TESAS

BY DHERST Professor Fr.Jan Czuba (Secretary )

Note: This post is the exact version of Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST) Press Release No.01/2020 which appeared in two local newspapers (The National and the Post Courier) on Friday 3rd January 2019. Headings were not part of the message but added to clarify the key points of  the press statement. 

We welcome the New Year 2020 and the changes and challenges the new decade brings. In addition to personal change for each one of us, we will together witness the transformation of Higher Education in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Phase Out of Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme

In 2020 our students will receive greater assistance with the introduction of  the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and the Phasing out of Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS).

Commencement of Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

The Prime Minister Hon.James Marape MP and the Hon.Nick Kuman MP, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology have instructed the Department to introduce the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) commencing second semester 2020.

The second semester commencement of HELP provides time for students, parents, and sponsors to learn more about the support available through HELP assistance.
Second semester timing also provides students with enough time to obtain their National Identification Card (NID) and Tax Identification Number. Theses are important pre-requisite requirements when submitting Applications for HELP.

Hence during the period of January to May 2020, there will be a transition from TESAS to HELP. We will be working very closely with all Higher Education Institutions over the transition period to ensure that all students are well informed about HELP.

HELP Objectives & Impact

The objective of HELP is to assist as many students as possible to gain entry to universities or colleges; to offer high quality education, and most importantly, help students to succeed once they have enrolled. The fundamental reorientation in the financing and quality higher education is profound and will enable students to meet their educational goals, whether they are pursuing a degree or striving towards some other educational objective.

The most significant immediate impact will come from the financing of renewable HELP studentships. HELP will provide student support for multiple years of study as long as students continue to meet the required academic and non-academic criteria.

HELP Loan System

HELP will offer a new state-of-art loan serving system-a system that creates incentives and guidelines that will support a more user-friendly single online loan management platform.

This relieves the heavy upfront- debt burden on students and their families to cover the increasing costs of higher education. Combining the this support under one HELP umbrella makes it simpler for Students, Parents, Sponsors, and the Government. HELP will also be available for PhD, Doctoral,Masters and other postgraduate programs, meeting the Government’s goal in providing a full range of quality education at the post-secondary level and beyond.

What will happen between now and May 2020?

• As of May 2020, TESAS awards will cease for good and HELP financing will commence. HELP will be the only available Studentship for all students for years to come.
• Students interested in making an application for HELP financing have time to obtain their National Identification (NID) Cards and the Tax Identification Number-Important pre-requisite for making a HELP application.

• HELP application will open from 27th April 2020, online via DHERST web-site and as notified in press and media advertising.

• Existing TESAS awardees will have the opportunity to elect to transfer to HELP under the new student contract conditions, currently being developed.
• DHERST, together with the other Government Agencies and the Higher Education Institutions, will finalize legislation to establish and operate the PNG-HELP Fund financing renewable studentship into the long term.

• We will finalize policy positions, terms, and conditions on such matters as eligibility criteria, application and assessment processes, loan agreements, lending guidelines and other matters made in accordance with regulations.

HELP Policy, Terms & Conditions

• We will develop the full operational requirements of the PNG-HELP in accordance with the Public Finance (Management) Act in readiness for the commencement of loan applications and the issuing of loans for the commencement of the second semester of 2020 academic year.
• We will finalize medium-term funding arrangement with the participating Higher Education institutions based on student fee enrollments and the 5-Year Higher Education Sector Plan and Budget.

We will regularly update our students, Higher Education Institutions and the public on progress.

Under DHERST’s 5-Year Sector Planning for financing the Higher Education, HELP will become a significant source of funding for Higher Education Institutions.

On behalf of the Department, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to our Government, the Higher Education Institutions, Parents, Sponsors and Students for your support during the academic year 2019.

The Ministry and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology wish you many God’s blessings, peace and happiness for the 2020 New Year. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Yours sincerely

Professor Fr.Jan Czuba

Secretary 

QUESTIONS ON H.E.L.P. SCHEME

By Bruce Teke

The recent post on PNG Loop titled: "No Benefit in Free Education Policy: PM" [Source: https://bit.ly/37mQTk1 ] implored me to ask the following questions which many will have as well.

These pressing questions needs urgent and immediate clarification from either the Office of the Prime Minister or the Department of Higher Education, Science & Technology on whether the Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape's newly introduced scheme known as HELP to assist PNG tertiary students fees in 2020 and perhaps beyond.

Further, to the supporters of Prime Minister JM, please don't take these questions as political. This is from a good citizen who honestly seeking answers for and on behalf of poor parents, students and stakeholders subjected to the the questions below.

Questions are as follows:

1. Will the HELP scheme also ensure tertiary Papua New Guinean students attending Private Institutions like Institute of Business Studies University (IBSU), International Training Institute (ITI), Mapex Training Institute (MTI), Asia Pacific Institute of Applied Social Economics and Technological Studies (APIASETS), Kumul Training Institute(KTI), etc?
   
   Most of the students who could not pursue their studies in the system tertiary institutions through MSU selections due to the competitiveness in securing spaces ends up undertaking their studies in the private/church run institutions. Thus, the concerned authorities must plainly make known to the general public through such media as to whether the private institutions would also be eligible to apply for HELP scheme to ease their school fee burdens.
2. Would the HELP Scheme also students studying abroad to apply for loan?
3. Would the HELP Scheme has any GPA cut-offs? News are speculating that the GPA cut-off is 2.8 to be eligible for securing HELP successfully.
4. Would the SELF SPONSORED STUDENTS be eligible also to apply for fee assistance through HELP Scheme?
5. How well is Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology (DHERST) prepared with the roll out of this HELP Scheme, in terms of man-power, policy & guidelines, website and database, time and resources?
6. How well is National Statistical Office prepared in conjunction with the DHERST to ensure all the PNG Tertiary Students have their NID Cards on hand on time in order to qualify for applying for their fees through HELP Scheme before their enrollments commence?

In order for the subject of questions above to prepare in advance, the authorities need to clarify the citizens plainly clear as soon as possible.

PLEASE SHARE TO BIGGER AUDIENCE IF YOU THINK THESE QUESTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

Other Sources:

• PNG-Higher Education Loan Program (PNG-HELP)-191219

• PM Marape announces major tertiary loan scheme