PAPUA New Guinea Education Institute (PNGEI) Heldsbach campus saw 89 graduate in early teachers with diplomas from its education (junior primary) in-service programme on Friday in Lae, Morobe.
PNGEI director Dr Zui Neofa highlighted the importance of partnership, stating that each of the respective development partners had contributed to the outcome of the graduations at the institution.
The graduation highlighted the teachers’ upgrading of their qualifications from the elementary level to the primary sector, where they were now eligible to teach preps, one and two under the 1-6-6 education structure.
This follows the country’s education reform, with the phasing out of elementary schools, and teachers were required to upgrade their qualifications to early childhood education under the 1-6-6 structure.
Neofa acknowledged PNGEI, the Teacher Professional Development Division, Teaching Service Commission and the Education Department for recognising the programme and allowing the institution to upgrade teachers.
“When teachers improve, then the quality of education improves,” Neofa said.
Deputy secretary schools directorate, Walipe Wingi, spoke on behalf of Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra, congratulating the graduates, stating that teacher training, upgrading, and early childhood education were key focus areas under the Education Plan 2020-2029.
“Our goal is that by 2030, all elementary teachers will have diploma qualifications,” he said.
“Early Childhood Education is a sector of its own now within the education system.”
Wingi said there were still challenges in the ECE, but the department was working to address them, and it would be fully rolled out in registered schools.
Meanwhile, provincial education adviser Keith Tangui acknowledged the programme on behalf of the Morobe administration, stating that the provincial government, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and Education Department went in partnership and established the PNGEI campus in the province.
The training has been delivered for the last five years in Morobe, where about 1,000 participants graduated with certificates and 300 with diplomas in education (junior primary).
The programme focuses on equipping teachers with skills to support children’s development from kindergarten to Grade 2.
