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
One of the leaders of this year's student protests at the University of Papua New Guinea said he and 12 others allowed to resume classes by the National Court are struggling to pass their exams.
The court issued a stay order on October the 9th temporarily blocking the University's decision to terminate the leaders' enrolments.
The 13 students including the president of the student council were banned by the University in August after leading a three month class boycott aimed at unseating the Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill.
The student leader Hercules Jim said the 13 are allowed to sit their exams but are prohibited from returning to their dormitories.
"We have been traumatised. We have gone through a lot of emotional distress. Our termination was lifted on the exam weekend and now we are into exams and these are very challenging and we are struggling to cope with the studies."
"Our minds are not yet back in school and now we are struggling to do our exams residing outside of the campus. It's really tough," he said.
Hercules Jim said a hearing at the National court on Friday will determine whether the 13 student leaders are formally re-enrolled.