PNG's Balimo College Graduates First Batch of Locally Trained Teachers
PNG’s Western Province has marked a new chapter in teacher training with Balimo College graduating its first group of locally trained primary school teachers.
The SDP-funded institution held its inaugural graduation yesterday, where 26 students were awarded their Bachelor of Education (Primary), becoming the first home-grown teachers to complete the full program at the college.
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| PNG's Balimo College Graduates First Batch of Locally Trained Teachers [Photo supplied] |
The graduates had earlier completed their Diploma of Primary Teaching in March before meeting academic requirements to advance into the bachelor’s program, which is accredited by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST).
Balimo College was established to help ease the ongoing shortage of teachers in Western Province by training educators who can return to serve in their own communities. The initiative forms part of Sustainable Development Program’s wider focus on building local capacity in essential services.
SDP Chief Executive Officer Lesieli Taviri said the graduation reflected the organisation’s focus on improving access to quality education while strengthening the teaching workforce in the province.
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) program is delivered through a partnership with the Kokoda Track Foundation, which manages the college, while Western Sydney University provides curriculum support.
Since opening its doors in 2022, Balimo College has expanded steadily. It now has 105 students enrolled across Years 1, 2 and 3 and has introduced diploma and degree programs in Primary Teaching. This year, the college also commenced its Bachelor of General Nursing program as part of a broader strategy to train health workers locally.
Balimo College represents a K72 million investment by SDP into tertiary education pathways for Western Province, with the aim of producing skilled professionals who understand local needs.
“SDP’s immediate priority is to strengthen systems that make schools work, including training teachers and supporting their professional development so they can return to their communities to deliver high quality education,” Ms Taviri said.
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