Pacific / Papua New Guinea

Students have played their role: PNG Unitech

11:02 am on 15 June 2016

The vice-chancellor at Papua New Guinea's University of Technology in Lae says students have achieved significant public awareness about their grievances and should now return to class.

Albert Schram said there's been a reconciliation between those involved in a clash at Unitech on Monday over differences about the ongoing boycott of classes.

Since May, there have been boycotts by students at universities around PNG in their demand for the prime minister Peter O'Neill to resign.

Students at the University of Papua New Guinea have been boycotting classes in protest at the Prime Minister refusing to stand down. Photo: Supplied / UPNG4PNG

Dr Schram said that after unrest in Port Moresby, it was understandable that students want to continue a boycott.

But he hoped they now return to class, since they have already disseminated information about the issues back into their home communities in rural PNG.

"So that has really been their role," he said.

"At this point, it's a national issue regarding the respect for the constitution and management of the economy. A solution should really be found in parliament and not on the campuses."

Listen to the full interview with Albert Schram on Dateline Pacific