The Secretary for Education in Papua New Guinea, Dr Joseph Pagelio, is urging school authorities not to turn students away for non-payment of school fees.
He has issued an appeal that schools allow students to enroll and attend classes even if they have not paid any fees while their parents and guardians sort out their school fees.
Dr Pagelio says children should not be deprived of their right to education.
And he says schools should not demanding payment in full but accepting it in installments.
Dr Pagelio says schools must be reasonable in collecting fees to meet the school's costs for getting the year started but parents also need to honour their obligations to contribute to their children's education.
