PNG Government Unveils K11 Billion Education Reform to Transform Schools and Teacher Welfare

Papua New Guinea’s education sector is set for a major overhaul following the Government’s approval of a K11 billion education reform programme aimed at improving infrastructure, strengthening teacher welfare and addressing long-standing shortages in the teaching workforce.

PNG PM MARAPE

Prime Minister James Marape said a large share of the funding will be invested in building modern classrooms for primary and secondary schools, expanding learning spaces to cater for increasing enrolments, and constructing teachers’ houses, particularly in rural and remote parts of the country.

He said improving teachers’ working conditions, access to professional training and overall welfare is central to lifting education standards nationwide.

“I have said clearly that teachers must be among the highest-paid public servants in our country,” Marape said.

The reform programme also targets the shortage of teachers, with plans to recruit new graduates from the University of Papua New Guinea and the PNG University of Technology.

Specialist teachers in mathematics, science, engineering, agriculture, commerce, tourism and technical and vocational education and training will be engaged through newly approved Public Service Commission contract arrangements to allow faster deployment to schools in need.

Provincial governments and district administrations have been urged to support the initiative by assisting with the provision of teacher accommodation, especially in fast-growing and remote communities.