16 WSP students de-registered from DWU

Sixteen students from West Sepik Province studying at Divine Word University in Madang have been de-registered due to non-payment of fees under the Government’s Higher Education Loan Program [HELP] and the Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS) by the National Government."

The DWU Student Representative Council in a press statement on the 25th of June sated that the University Administration had reached the limit of its ability to cover for the government’s component of fees expected for the first semester of 2025 and was considering those students under the TESAS scholarship and HELP loan scheme cover the unpaid fees.

President for the West Sepik Student Association Johnbosco Wulkas who has been de-registered says the students are currently on campus, but they do not have access to the Mess, ICT, Library, school intranet and Moodle page to continue semester two.

He says these restrictions mean they are de-registered and will soon be sent home if their fees are not paid.

Meanwhile, minister responsible for Higher Education Research, Science and Technology, Kinoka Feo has released a statement saying his ministry is aware of recent posts circulating on social media regarding the de-registration of Divine Ward University students, which has generated concerns.

He says the de-registration taking place currently at DWU is not related to the HELP and TESAS from the National Government. These students being de-registered currently are the recipients of the Tesas and HELP program and are not affected.