Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra has clarified that the fee linked to the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT-P) applies only to certain Grade 12 students applying for specific higher education programs, and not to national examinations.

Dr Kombra said the fee is solely for the administration of the STAT-P test, which is required by some universities as part of their entry process.

“This fee does not apply to the national examinations that are conducted for Grades 8, 10 and 12,” he said.

He explained that the fee is not collected by the Department of Education or the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), but is instead connected to the institutions that have made the STAT-P a condition for admission.

“It is very important that all students, parents, and schools understand this is a selective fee,” Dr Kombra said.

“Only a minority of students applying to programs that require the STAT-P test will be affected.”

Most higher education institutions in Papua New Guinea do not require the STAT-P test, meaning the majority of Grade 12 students will not need to pay any additional fee when applying.

The Education Department has urged students to use the official online Application System, which clearly indicates which programs require the STAT-P test. Programs that do not list the test as a requirement will not have any associated fee.

The clarification comes amid public concern and confusion regarding examination and application fees for Grade 12 students nationwide.