Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
No information was found.
Tuition-free status
Public higher education is not tuition-free in Papua New Guinea. However, private providers charge higher tuition fees compared to public institutions.
Governance
The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) and the Papua New Guinea Science and Technology Council Secretariat (PNGSTCS) are the agencies responsible for policy coordination and regulation of higher education institutions. The DHERST finances higher education institutions.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher education institutions receive funding directly from the central government.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Both public and private higher education institutions operate in Papua New Guinea. According to the 2020 Higher Education (General Provisions) Amendment Act, agency institutions which are owned and operated by recognized Education Agencies receive over 50% of their annual funding from the state, which covers operational costs, teacher salaries, infrastructure, and benefits for academic and non-academic staff. The 2020 Higher Education (General Provisions) Amendment Act allows for the negotiation of arrangements between the state and Church Education Agencies in relation to the levels and support received by the state, with some institutions being provided with less than 50% of their annual funding from the state. All funding arrangements must be based on an “affordable, equitable and transparent funding model”.
Allocation and equity
The government supports higher education institutions through operational funding, the public investment programme, the Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme, and the Higher Education Student Loan Programme. Besides the loans programme, there was no other specific equity funding allocation model to institutions found.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no national quotas or affirmative action measures for the admission of vulnerable groups to higher education institutions.
According to the 2014 Higher Education Act, institutions are prohibited from discriminating in their admissions on the basis of race, sex, or religion, except to the extent permitted by the “equality of citizens” provision of the 1975 Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, which allows for the “making of laws for the special benefit, welfare, protection or advancement of females, children and young persons, members of underprivileged or less advanced groups or residents of less advanced areas”.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Higher Education Loan Programme
Launched in 2020 by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), the Higher Education Loan Programme aims to make higher education accessible and affordable for all eligible Papua New Guinean students. It provides interest-free, income-contingent loans for tuition, board, and accommodation to eligible tertiary students.
Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme
The Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme is a merit-based scholarship which covers 75% of tuition fees, return air tickets and booking allowances for well-performing tertiary students in Papua New Guinea.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Return air tickets are covered as part of the merit-based Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme.
Accommodation
The Higher Education Loan Programme covers student board and accommodation costs.
Textbooks
The Student Resources Allowance of the merit-based Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme is a lump-sum financial contribution towards meeting study equipment and book expenses.
