More than 14,000 students in Papua New Guinea are expected to benefit from the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) next year, as the government boosts its budget allocation to K53.08 million in 2025, up from K52 million in 2024. This was announced by Prime Minister James Marape, who underscored the government’s commitment to removing financial barriers for tertiary education.
According to Prime Minister Marape, the increased budget for HELP highlights the government’s determination to prioritize education as a national development strategy. He stated that the 2025 allocation is expected to assist an additional 500 students compared to this year, further advancing the program’s mission of enabling access to education for all.
“With the 2025 budget boost, your government has reiterated its commitment to making education a national priority. The increased funding for HELP represents a step forward in building a brighter, more equitable future for Papua New Guinea, where every student can access the education they need to reach their full potential,” said Marape.
The Prime Minister highlighted the program’s achievements since its establishment in 2020, stating that HELP has significantly broadened access to higher education. He revealed that over the past five years, more than 35,615 students have benefited from the program, with a total of K177 million disbursed to date. These funds have played a transformative role in supporting students to continue their studies and contribute to national development.
Marape provided a detailed breakdown of the annual disbursements and the number of students supported through the program:
2020: 5,204 students, K28.59 million
2021: 6,743 students, K27.69 million
2022: 9,840 students, K47.09 million
2023: 13,828 students, K74.00 million
2024: 14,000 students, K52.00 million
2025: Expected 14,500 students, K53.08 million
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the government’s vision of ensuring that every student has the opportunity to pursue higher education, emphasizing that HELP remains a cornerstone of this mission.
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