Free education for PNG children: PM

Papua New Guinea children will get free schooling after policy is put in place next
year, Prime Minister Michael Somare says.
Cabinet had decided to cover schooling costs from grade one to grade eight, Somare
told AAP on Thursday in Wabag, the capital of Enga Province in PNG's highlands
region.
"We have decided we should get the policy in place by the beginning of 2010," he said.
"We want education from grade one up to grade eight, (where) parents will not meet
the cost."
Government ministers and officials meeting this week as the National Executive
Council made a last-minute submission for the plan on Tuesday night.
About 85 per cent of PNG's six million people live in rural communities with most
parents struggling to make yearly school fee payments, meaning many children miss
out on schooling.
Early years cost around 100 kina (A$50) but later years can cost above 1,000 kina
(A$500).
"There may be other costs like uniforms for parents but school fees, the government
will provide it all," Somare said.
Several ministries will work together on how next year's budget will cover the
scheme's cost.
"The Education Department has advised there are other issues that we have to pull
together before it becomes a policy," Somare said.
"You have to look at the books, the materials, the number of teachers, when you do
something like this there will be more intake of classes.
"We have to plan for their classrooms, teachers' housing and all the facilities.
"Education can be free but there are other costs."