The government's announcement to re-introduce the Tuition Fee Free Education Policy for the 2022 academic year comes as a relief for many parents nationwide - but it won't be the same for schools in Morobe Province. Parents and students attending Morobe Schools will again dig deeper into their pockets so their kids can get an education after the Provincial Education Board made a decision for all schools in the province to continue charging the parental component for school fees in the 2022 academic. The announcement comes just weeks before the resumption of the 2022 academic year and after the National Government’s announcement to re-introduce the free-education policy for schools nationwide. Provincial Education Advisor Keith Tangui said a decision was reached by the Provincial Education Board despite the government’s intervention to look after fees for this year for elementary to secondary schools. “The fees paid in by students will cater for outstanding bills and debts incurred by the schools over the years.” The new parental component fees for this year are K200.00 per student for elementary education, K350.00 per student for primary schools, K700.00 for day students in secondary schools and K900.00 for boarding students. Technical and vocational schools will be charging K600.00 per student for day students and K800.00 for boarding. Mr. Tangui said the boards decision is binding and for the welfare of the students to keep school operations going. “Schools also need to deliver projects and charging of fees will greatly assist in this area.” Mr. Tangui also emphasised the urgent need to address student over-crowding and the way to do it was to build more infrastructure like classrooms and dormitories.