The Wapenamanda District Development Authority (WDDA) has endorsed the continuity of its Tertiary Students School Fee Assistance Scheme this year.
Transport Minister and Wapenamanda MP Hon.Miki Kaeok (pictured) confirmed that the WDDA will continue its program of subsidizing school fees for all Wapenamanda students attending tertiary institutions throughout the country.
Minister Kaeok, who is the WDDA Chairman, emphasized the importance of integral human development, reaffirming his obligation to assist parents with their children’s school fees as it is a very expensive, especially students attending tertiary institutions.
“I believe that one day elites of Wapenamanda District will be in charge of important and critical jobs in all sectors throughout the country and this will be possible through the power of education so it is my obligation to assist in subsidizing school fees,” Minister Kaeok said.
“I am always a proud man when I see elites of Wapenamanda District working in the public and private sectors throughout the country and this must continue,” he said.
The ruling Pangu Pati strongman confirmed that officers from the WDDA will be conducting purity checks for the 2026 School Fees Assistance Program beginning with tertiary institutions in the Highlands Region starting in Mt Hagen and will eventually reach all tertiary institutions throughout the country.
“The team will visit respective schools to verify student enrollment (purity check), so it is a prerequisite for students who applied to be present on campus,” MP Kaeok said.
He added that only students who are physically present and verified will be considered eligible.
“All submitted applications and lists will be confirmed on-site, and absentees will not be considered as this process ensures fairness and transparency and that assistance reaches the rightfully enrolled students,” Minister Kaeok concluded.
Minister Kaeok was first elected by the people of Wapenamanda District in 2002. He retained his seat in the 2007 polls and lost to former MP Rimbink Pato in 2012 but repeated the same feat after 10 years in 2022.