The cabinet had decided to cover schooling costs from grade one to grade eight, Somare told AAP on Thursday in Wabag, the capital of Enga Province in PNG’s highlands region.
“We have decided we should get the policy in place by the beginning of 2010,” he said.
“We want education from grade one up to grade eight, (where) parents will not meet the cost.”
Government ministers and officials met as the National Executive Council made a last-minute submission for the plan on Tuesday night.
About 85 percent of PNG’s six million people live in rural communities with most parents struggling to make yearly school fee payments, meaning many children miss out on schooling.
Early years cost around 100 kina ($36) but later years can cost above 1,000 kina ($366).
“There may be other costs like uniforms for parents but school fees, the government will provide it all,” Sir Michael said.
Several ministries will work together on how next year’s budget will cover the scheme’s cost.
“The Education Department has advised there are other issues that we have to pull together before it becomes a policy,” Sir Michael said.
“You have to look at the books, the materials, the number of teachers, when you do something like this there will be more intake of classes,” he added.
“We have to plan for their classrooms, teachers’ housing and all the facilities. Education can be free but there are other costs.”
