PNG Education Reform Sparks Uncertainty Over National Exams in Pilot Provinces

Students, parents and teachers in Papua New Guinea’s pilot education reform provinces are still waiting for clear guidance on whether national examinations will proceed this year, with concerns now being raised on the floor of Parliament.

 PNG Education Reform Sparks Uncertainty Over National Exams in Pilot Provinces/Photo supplied

Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa has questioned the implementation of the 1-6-6 education reform, saying uncertainty remains despite the government’s earlier announcement that Grade 8 and Grade 10 national examinations would be phased out.

Speaking in Parliament, Governor Rapa said Western Highlands was among five provinces selected to trial the reforms and had already moved away from the traditional Grade 8 and Grade 10 examination system.

He noted that the 2026 school year was already well underway, yet many stakeholders in the education sector were still unsure about examination arrangements.

The governor said students preparing to complete Grade 10 and Grade 12, together with their families and teachers, needed certainty on whether national examinations would be conducted in the pilot provinces.

He directed his questions to Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister Kinoka Hotune Feo, seeking confirmation on whether examinations would proceed and whether any official instructions had been issued through provincial education authorities.

However, Minister Feo was unable to provide an immediate response during the parliamentary session.

“I can’t give you the answer off the top of my head. I’ll get back to you tomorrow,” he said.