Minister for Higher Education and Sports, Don Polye has stated that from observations and reports being sent in to his office, the level of education especially higher education has dropped to a level that the department now needs to focus on.
This is in reply to concerns raised about the quality of students that graduate out of the University of Goroka.
He stated that generally he has done an assessment on the output and performance by looking at universities and the University of Goroka has been no exception.
“Quality is very important and it starts in the following areas; first in Governance and leadership. On the campus of the UoG and for other institutions.”
He further stated that the composition of Governance at the Vice chancellors level or at the council level down to management.
Minister Polye added his belief there has been a lot of compromise where the best people suited to takes these positions have been overlooked.
Polye stated that UoG is being addressed and he has confidence in the council and the vice chancellor and is working closely with the management of the institution to address areas of quality.
“I have decided that under the Higher Education’s General Provisions Act, when it places the authority of appointment on the Minister, I would like to inform the people and the parliament that I will change that to not put the authority of appointing the council or the administration on the Minister.”
“Rather this will be done by a collective body and that body is the Higher Education Technical Council.”
The Minister said it’s hoped that this will free up politicization of these positions at the council level.