Dei District in the Western Highlands Provinces has around 1276 tertiary students who are currently attending tertiary institutions in the country this year, and this number is embarrassing, says local MP Desmond Kipa.

Kipa who was speaking to his 51 ward councillors recently in Mt Hagen City during a cheque presentation to contractors engaged in district development programs as well as its three Local Level Government, highlighted that human resource is vital and he wants more students from his district to attend tertiary institutions in the country.

“Only 1276 tertiary students from Dei district is an embarrassment; all children must be encouraged to go to school and continue through to tertiary institutions”, said Kipa.

“I want to see more young people attend tertiary institution”.

Kipa added that when more young people are educated, then the district will have more educated elites, better services, development, projects including cash flow and positive changes in their communities.

He further added that despite financial needs to cater for many other areas, Dei DDA had allocated K1, 000 each as subsidy for tertiary students from the district, and with additional K2, 000 subsidy component from Western Highlands Provincial Government, each student from Dei is relieved with K3, 000 school fee assistance.

He encourages more grade 12 students to take education seriously and do well in their examinations this year so that more students make it to tertiary institutions.

Kipa says Dei DDA under his leadership would continue to subsidize tertiary students’ fees.