Chong said members of the community should see whether the assistance empowered them and made them independent.

"We need to ask ourselves, what is the free scheme such as bus fares and school fees doing to the people, whether it is teaching them to be responsible and how are they participating in this program?

"When people can contribute to something important it builds up their self-esteem and wellbeing because they are part of it."

Chong believes the free policy assistance should be given only to the poor.

Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy said the assistance to students only catered for the poor.

Chong's comment followed concerns received from teachers and parishioners he had visited around the country.

Some students, who used to walk to school, arrived much earlier and attended school every day.

But after the free bus fare scheme, the students are coming in late because the transport comes in late or they won't attend school because the carrier didn't come to pick them up.

Source

• fijitimes.com
• fijitimes.com
• Image: exposure.imgix.net

Reuben Mete, who's Director of the Youth Desk for the church is calling for the aid programme to be resigned.

He says that obtaining funds is difficult, and those running the programmes in PNG want to exercise too much control. Listen to interview