More Than 200 PNG English Teachers Mark Grade 12 English Written Expression Papers

More than 200 English teachers from across Papua New Guinea have gathered in Port Moresby to mark Grade 12 Written Expression examination papers as part of the country’s National Examination process.

The teachers, who teach English in secondary schools across the country, are taking part in the first component of the Grade 12 English examination marking. The marking exercise is being coordinated by the Department of Education through its Measurement Services Division.

The marking conference is being held at a hotel in Port Moresby, with the Department providing accommodation, meals, travel tickets and allowances for participating teachers. The arrangement allows teachers from different provinces to take part in the national marking exercise.

More than 40,000 Grade 12 students from secondary schools, National Schools of Excellence and private colleges are expected to have their examination papers assessed through the national process.

The marking conference is scheduled to continue until this Friday, after which the examination process will move forward as the Department works towards completing the assessment of students sitting the National Examinations.

Assistant Secretary for Examinations, Dua Kuagai, urged teachers, schools and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of the examination system when welcoming the markers. He warned schools against any form of cheating, including during the marking of Written Expression papers.

Mr Kuagai said the Department had taken steps to secure the national examinations, but stressed that the system could become vulnerable once examination materials reached schools. He called on students, teachers, school authorities and all stakeholders to work together to protect the credibility and integrity of the national examinations.