The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) has suspended the academic year for Mendi School of Nursing in Southern Highlands due to election related issues.
The decision was made on September 26.
DHERST acting secretary, Dr Francis Hualupmomi said after the election, a disruption led to violence resulting in a lot of properties being damaged by supporters of two candidates.
The lives of the students and staff were at risk and their safety was not guaranteed.
Hualupomimi
He said after the situation was assessed with additional information provided by the principal and the community council, the department decided to suspend the academic year so that the students can start fresh in 2023 with full government scholarship.
Some students who wished to continue the academic year but in another school were asked to inform the department and the administration for full sponsor.
Normal classes will resume early next year following its new calendar for 2023.
Dr Hualupmomi
The acting secretary told students in other tertiary institutions who were on HECAS and were wondering when they would receive tickets that the department was preparing for the repatriation.
He said TESAS and HELP scheme payments for second semester will be paid from now until December.