PNG Teachers Must Meet Minimum GPA Requirement of 2.8, says Kombra

Papua New Guinea’s Department of Education has reiterated that teachers must meet a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.8 to be eligible for registration, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain teaching standards across the country.

Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra said the requirement applies to all aspiring teachers in PNG, beginning with a Grade 12 certificate that meets the academic threshold before entry into formal teacher training.

 PNG Teachers Must Meet Minimum GPA Requirement of 2.8

He said candidates are required to complete three years of recognised teacher education and graduate with the same minimum GPA before submitting their qualifications to the Department of Education for assessment.

Dr. Kombra explained that registration is initially granted on a provisional basis, with full licensing issued only after teachers satisfy additional professional requirements set by the department.

He stressed that individuals who do not meet the minimum academic standard will not be registered and should not be engaged by schools, warning that failure to comply undermines the quality of education delivery.

The secretary also raised concerns about the impact of low academic performance on classroom effectiveness, saying teachers must demonstrate strong subject knowledge and the ability to communicate clearly with students.

While discussions are ongoing to potentially raise the GPA requirement in the future, Dr. Kombra said the current standard remains unchanged. “If a teacher’s GPA is less than 2.8, they will not be registered. They will need to upgrade their qualifications before being eligible for registration.”