Shortage in TFF close Manus Schools

A shortage in the Tuition Fee Free money for schools in Manus province is forcing them to close early for the first term break.

Alois Kinol, who's the Chairman for high and secondary schools in the province, says the TFF funds ran out on them on the eleventh week of school.

He says, head teachers from respective schools have revealed that they've been operating on credit basis.

Mr. Kinol says, head teachers have agreed during a recent meeting, to forward the Week 11, which is their sports week, to next term.

"Seeing that disla tu em las wik blo mipla, mipla ilaik close somewhere insait long disla wik na salim ol sumatin igo.

"Na question nao istap olsem: taim mipla close, husait iken save, bai mipla inap long statim ken term 2?"

The schools are also starting to lay off some of their auxilliary staff due to the shortfall.

The Provincial Education Executive Manager Leonard Johnly has confirmed this tragic funding issue.

"Em i stret. Toktok bilong ol i stret.

"Funding bilong TFF ikam long olo skuls long province blo displa krismas ino bin kam gut olsem mipla expectim," Johnly said.

NBC News/ PNG Today