PNG, Australia Roll Out New Secondary Education Partnership

PAPUA New Guinea and Australia have begun a new education partnership that will target improvements in secondary schools across PNG, with a three-year program now underway to support teachers, school leaders and students. The initiative is expected to lift classroom standards, strengthen school leadership and improve learning conditions in participating schools.

The Papua New Guinea Secondary Education Program (PNG SEP) was officially launched this week, bringing together school principals, teachers, governing board representatives, officials from the National Department of Education, the Australian High Commission, universities and education partners to map out the direction of the program.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have launched the Papua New Guinea Secondary Education Program (PNG SEP), a three-year initiative funded by the Australian Government to improve secondary education nationwide. The program will support better classroom teaching, strengthen school leadership, enhance student wellbeing, expand digital learning, improve school infrastructure, and build stronger education partnerships between the two countries. It is already delivering textbooks and professional learning for teachers, with more activities planned in the months ahead. – Picture: Australian High Commission PNG

The partnership will concentrate on raising the quality of teaching and learning, supporting school leaders, promoting safe and inclusive school environments and expanding cooperation between education institutions in PNG and Australia.

The rollout follows consultations with participating schools, which identified several common priorities despite the different circumstances faced by individual schools. Among the key areas highlighted were improving classroom teaching, increasing access to quality learning materials, strengthening instructional leadership, supporting student wellbeing and creating schools where every student can learn in a safe environment.

Work has already started in participating schools, with English textbooks being distributed while teachers take part in professional learning activities. Other projects planned over the coming months include digital learning initiatives, postgraduate teacher upgrading opportunities, school infrastructure improvements and stronger links between educational institutions in both countries.

Deputy Principal of Kerevat National School of Excellence Pauline Suvi said the program would provide schools with practical assistance to improve learning.

"PNG SEP brings educators and partners together to improve classroom practice, strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching and deliver better learning resources for students," she said.

"This support will help schools provide quality lessons and improve learning outcomes for young Papua New Guineans."

Chairman of the Governing Council at Sogeri National School of Excellence Gogobe Rueben Mairi said the partnership would also assist schools to strengthen leadership and improve facilities.

"Australia has been a longstanding partner in supporting education in Papua New Guinea," he said.

"PNG SEP will help school leaders, teachers and students work together to strengthen school improvement, address practical infrastructure needs and create better conditions for learning."

STEM teacher at Kopen National School of Excellence Melveth Peakari welcomed the initiative, saying it would help develop schools over the long term.

"As a new National School of Excellence, Kopen needs strong partnerships to build our foundations, attract and support teachers and students, improve infrastructure and upskill our teachers," he said.