Please find news update for this week in the links below and clippings in this folder  News clips- 01- 18th July

• A team of senior education officials form the Education Department, Provincial Divisions of Education and Bougainville Department of Education travelled to Queensland, Australia recently for a learning exchange visit with Good to Greats Schools Australia (GGSA). The learning exchange was facilitated by the Australian Government’s Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) program with the goal of generation innovative ideas and approaches to tackling challenges that impact teaching and learning in rural remote schools in PNG and Australia alike.  (PNG education officials visit Australian schools. THE NATIONAL)

• Education Minister Lucas Dawa Dekena has highlighted two critical issues in the education system that have consistently challenged the nation. Dekena said the first had been the delayed achievement of universal access to education- that was 13 years of education for every child. He said the second had been the criticisms by concerned citizens and publica regarding the quality of education. (Minister critical of issues in education. THE NATIONAL)

• Education Minister Lucas Dekena says specialised technical or trade course for National certificate 1 and 2 must be offered in at least 50 per cent of high schools and secondary schools. Dekena said he was aware that PNG’s education system management had not kept up with the sector’s growth and compounded with students not ready to learn, teachers not ready to teach and school environments not conducive for teaching and learning.  (Minister wants technical courses in PNG schools. THE NATIONAL)

• The Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra in his address to the participants at the 33^rd Senior Education Officers’ Conference in Vanimo, has thanked the Marape/Rosso Government for a number of significant milestones that the Department of Education has made since 2019. These achievements in the last five years include the Government Tuition Fee Policy, Earl Childhood Education, the change of the curriculum from Outcome-Based Curriculum to Standard Based Curriculum, National Schools of Excellence, reform, and expansion of the FODE sector, and the 1-6-6 School Restructure. (Education secretary highlights achievements in sector. PNG HAUS BUNG)

• Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra has challenged all Provincial Education Advisers to increase efforts to ensure all children in their respective provinces receive a high-quality universal for 13 years. (Education Secretary on challenges and solutions. PNG HAUS BUNG)

• Early Childhood Education is a vital field in education that requires collaboration from all partners in the field for successful implementation. Kindergarten 1 (for children aged 4) and Kindergarten 2 (for children aged 5) make up the new ECE sector. The ECE is scheduled to start in 2025 when new schools register. (Early childhood education sector needs more support. PNG HAUS BUNG)

• A total of 11 students from the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University were on afield study visit to Madang’s Divine Word University. (Australian students on study visit to Madang. THE NATIONAL)

• Education Minister Lucas Dawa Dekena said all teachers should be back in classrooms as the third term of the academic year began on July 18^th. (Return to classrooms, minister urges teachers. THE NATIONAL)

• A University charity group has donated beddings for a boarding house for orphans in Simbu. (UOG group donates to orphans in Chimbu. THE NATIONAL)

• Huonville Primary School I Lae, during its fundraising dinner launched its 30-year master plan estimated to cost more than K30 million on Saturday. (Lae’s Huonville Primary launches 30-year master plan worth over K30 million. THE NATIONAL)

• Twelve schools in Morobe’s Huon Gulf were recipients of a K270, 000 teachers housing scheme rolled out in the district. From the 63 primary schools, 12 received a K20, 000 cheque each on Monday at Bubia Lutheran Primary School to build houses. (Huon Gulf teachers get funding for houses. THE NATIONAL)

• Students attending Yanga Elementary School in Lae, Morobe province will now enjoy the comfort of a new learning environment, all thanks to the Steamships and John Swire & Sons who recently announced the successful completion and official opening and hand over of the classroom in Lae. (Steamies support Yanga elementary with new classroom. PNG HAUS BUNG)

Current affairs:

• Opposition VONC case returns. PNG HAUS BUNG
• Air Niugini flight disruption, cabin crew commended. PNG HAUS BUNG
• PNG NRL CEO, Andrew Hill dispelled rumours on PNG NRL bid. EMTV
• NRL bid academy games to be broadcast by Digicel. PNG HAUS BUNG
• Manam people still suffering after 21 years. PNG HAUS BUNG

Enga:

• Police stop tribal fights. THE NATIONAL
• Addressing tribal conflicts vital, says Yakasa. THE NATIONAL
• Enga’s Mulitaka landslip victims warned against disruptions. THE NATIONAL
• SARV victims reunited with families after 4 months. PNG HAUS BUNG
• ENB province appeal to Mulitaka landslide relief. PNG HAUS BUNG
• PNG landslide tragedy survivors continue sleeping on a mass grave-community leader. RNZ

AROB:

• Panguna mine issues take centre stage. INSIDEPNG
• Bougainville’s home-grown independence constitution: Part 1. DEVPOLICY BLOG
• Bougainville’s home-grown independence constitution: Part 2. DEVPOLICY BLOG

Editorial, feature & opinion:

• A call for more inclusive assistive technology. DEVPOLICY BLOG
• DBTI discuss steps to be a university. INSIDEPNG
• Pacific children left behind and vulnerable due to regional labour mobility schemes. RNZ
• The continuing struggle by PNG landowners to save their forests. RNZ
• Still urgent: resetting Australian aid transparency. DEVPOLICY BLOG

Please find news update for this week in the links below and clips here  News clips- 22- 26th July

• The Ministry of Education announced the launch of its Regional Public Consultations for the PNG Education Transformation Vision 2025- 2075 (PNGETV 2075). These public meetings will provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders and community members to actively participate in shaping the future of education in their provinces and the country for the next 50 years. (Regional public consultations for PNG education launched. PNG HAUS BUNG)

• It is essential that all students and teachers can access both school texts and reading books to support effective teaching and learning.  In PNG, Australia has distributed 86,574 student books, 8,396 teacher guides and 32,371 picture dictionaries to children in the early grades in 1,847 schools across West Sepik, Central and Enga Provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. This includes the Bilum Books series that are aligned to PNG’s standard-based curriculum.  (Books pave the way for literacy, growth, and success!  AusHCPNG FB page)

• Provincial education advisers have been asked to focus more on providing a quality 13 years of universal education for children in their respective provinces. Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra said we must accept that the most important asset that our country has is not its natural resources, or irs geographical location but its people. “Research convincingly informs us that an investment of K98 in a child yields a K512 return in sustainable improvement in livelihoods such as living longer having less health issues, reduces teen pregnancy, and crimes amongst others, said Dr Kombra. (Universal education priority for provinces, says secretary. THE NATIONAL)

• Early childhood development teachers and community volunteers received specific phonics training last week. 81 teachers and community volunteers from Manam Care Centres graduated after successfully completing the phonics training. (Early childhood teachers get training. THE NATIONAL)

• Karkar Island Taleng Primary School opened a double classroom recently as preparation for the transitioning to junior technical high school next year. Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa proposed to achieve the Education Department’s new reform of standard based curriculum. (Karkar school opens double classroom. THE NATIONAL)

• The Autonomous Bougainville’s Education Department has released K4 million for the rollout of the Bougainville school fee assistance (SFA) scheme. ABG Education secretary Dorothy Kenneth said the delay in the release of funds was due to an administrative issue which had been settled. (ABG releases K4 million for school fee assistance. THE NATIONAL)

• 645 Bougainville students attending tertiary institutions in Papua New Guinea will have 40 per cent of their school fees paid for by the Bougainville government. (ABG pays tuition fees for tertiary students. THE NATIONAL)

• Nawaeb development authority in Morobe is focused on ensuring that education service is improved to elevate the level of academic performance in schools. (Education prioritised in Nawaeb. THE NATIONAL)

• North Mendi Primary School board and administration wants the Education Department to consider introducing the school fee subsidy to be paid by parents. (Tuition fee free policy not enough. THE NATIONAL)

• A student at Wosera Secondary School in East Sepik is grateful for the cocoa training implemented by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) under European Union Support. (Students grateful for cocoa growing training. THE NATIONAL)

• Social issues have caused a rural primary school in Madang to discontinue its school operations for close to 20 years. (Rural school needs support. POST COURIER)

• A community in Madang province once affected by cargo cult practices in the early 2000s are now calling on the government to provide literacy programs back into their community. Headmaster for Matepi Primary School Nathan Wunkai said people in the Matepi area, ward 22 of Ambenob LLG in Madang need assistance in literacy courses. (Rural community in Madang calls for literacy trainings. POST COURIER)

Current affairs:

• Orders against LOs extended. THE NATIONAL
• UN condemns violent atrocities in East Sepik urges justice for victims. POST COURIER
• Governments inaction on Sepik killings disgraceful. POST COURIER
• Team PNG ready to fly Kumul flag at Paris 2024 Olympics. PNG HAUS BUNG

Enga:

• Enga peace accord signed on Friday. THE NATIONAL
• Enga culture show looking forward to celebrating 30 years. POST COURIER
• NPL exceeds production targets despite challenges. PNG HAUS BUNG
• Dr Yockopua recognised for Mulitaka relief efforts. PNG HAUS BUNG

Editorial, opinion & feature:

• Church eases education costs. THE NATIONAL
• Madame Sandra donates computers. POST COURIER
• So close yet so far away. FEATURE POST COURIER
• A New Era for Tourism and Border Security in West Sepik. POST COURIER
• PNG’s special support grants: inefficient, inequitable, and unaccountable. DEVPOLICY BLOG
• Still urgent: resetting Australian aid transparency. DEVPOLICY BLOG

• Radio covers 85% of PNG’s population and can reach the most remote communities. It is free and easily accessible and provides communities with vital information. For more than 50 years, Papua New Guineans have relied on radio as a vital source of information for news and awareness, during natural disasters and conflict, for entertainment and for educational purposes. (Australia partner with NDOE to broadcast back to school messages on radio. AusHCPNG FB page)

• The Censorship Ambassador School Programme (Casp) for secondary schools, initiated in 2021, was launched in the National Capital District this week. according to chief censor Jim Abani, Casp is a behaviour change intervention programme initiated by Office of Censorship with support from Education Department. (Behavioural change programme for schools. THE NATIONAL)

• Heads of schools in Morobe must fill in the national school’s census form to avoid missing out on the government tuition fee subsidy (GTFS). (Fill out forms for subsidies, says official. THE NATIONAL)

• 17 schools in Tewae-Siassi’s Sialum-Local level government area in Morobe have been closed for the year. Provincial education adviser Keith Tangui said Gerup, Nunzen, Kalasa and Kanzaura primary along with 13 elementary schools were closed due to the escalating law and order issues in the area. (17 schools close amid violence in Tewae-Siassi. THE NATIONAL)

• Sakul Primary School in Sumkar’s Sarang village, Madang now has two new classrooms and two teacher’s houses. Sumkar MP Alex Suguman said the Sumkar Development Authority gave K50, 000 to the school from the funding allocation made in the third quarter of the 2023 school year under its education infrastructure maintenance programme. (Schools in Madang’s Sumkar gets new classrooms and teachers house. THE NATIONAL)

• A total of 34, 360 grade 12 students nationwide will sit their Written Expression national examination on August 19, according to Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra. (34, 300 grade 12s to sit exam. THE NATIONAL)

• To become an astronaut, one must study science, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the like, says Marsha Ivins at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). (Nasa astronaut speaks to students at UPNG. THE NATIONAL)

• A man who broke into a school administration building and stole school properties was sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour. (Jailed for stealing school property. THE NATIONAL)

• Morobe is considering allowing parents to pay project fees in 2025 after considering the state of the country’s economy this year. (Project fees mulled. THE NATIONAL)

• More than 8000 teaching positions in Morobe have been published in the 2014 education vacancy gazette. The gazette has been distributed to schools to be given to the teachers to fill out. (Morobe teaching positions published. THE NATIONAL)

• Prime Minister James Marape congratulated 30 Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics students who left for India on Saturday on the Government’s Stem scholarship. (30 students off to India for studies. THE NATIONAL)

• Oro Provincial Government handed over vehicles and dinghies to Oro Provincial Division of Education to help support its functions to provide quality education for all children in Oro. (Oro governor hands over support to Oro Education Division. PNGHAUSBUNG)

• The Migalism community witnessed the official opening of three new classrooms at Migalism Elementary school grounds. The project valued at K700, 000 offers great learning opportunities for the children of Migalism and surrounding areas. (Migalism elementary school receive classrooms. POST COURIER)

• The University of South Pacific recently formalised a grant agreement with the Pacific Women Lead program of the Pacific Community to facilitate a regional approach to the advancement of university female staff leadership in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (USP leads regional study on gender equality in STEM disciplines. POST COURIER)

• Rivalry between two students has resulted in the burning of a dormitory at Sialum high schools in Tewai-Siassi district in Morobe. (Dorm at Sialum High school burnt to ashes. POST COURIER)

• On Amelia Earhart’s birthday, the U.S Embassy awarded the first ever Amelia Earhart scholarship to pilot Deborah Bidang at a ceremony at UNITECH on July 24, 2024, and broke ground on a monument that will honour Amelia’s legacy and inspire future engineers and pilots. (US awards Amelia Earhart scholarship to PNG female pilots. POST COURIER)

• Higher education should be the leading sector in transforming the country, the heads of the universities and the research institutions were told in a two-day conference in Port Moresby. (Higher education must take lead. POST COURIER)

Current Affairs:

• Tarere splashes personal best at Olympics. POST COURIER
• Opposition leaders address media after court hearing. POST COURIER
• Judge questions effectiveness of police intelligence. POST COURIER
• UN ramps up response as 200 survivors seek refuge after PNG East Sepik massacre. POST COURIER
• PNG government told to protect people after “barbaric killings” in Angoram. RNZ

Enga:

• Minister launches new community health post in Enga. PNGHAUS BUNG
• Lagaip district procurement committee sworn in. POST COURIER

Editorial, opinion & feature:

• Akiz arts prize 2024 collection. POST COURIER
• Digicel foundation expands digital education in Lae. PNG HAUS BUNG
• Samarai-Murua sponsors students to study in Philippines. POST COURIER
• The call for evidence-based development. DEVPOLICY BLOG
• The wall of shame – do Pacific islanders even notice gender-based violence deaths? RNZ

Please find this week’s news updates in the links below and clippings in this folder  11-15th March

• Cathy Sowi’s journey towards inclusive education began with a simple observation during her teacher training. Witnessing a student with a hearing impairment struggling to communicate ignited a passion within her to bridge the gap. (A teacher’s dedication to inclusive education. LOOP PNG)

• Students from Togaroa and Voko Elementary schools in Wakunai District, Autonomous Region of Bougainville participated in a range of activities focused on ‘Preserving Nature for Future Generations’. (Bougainville students celebrates Wildlife Day. AHC FB)

• Qualified teachers are required to teach at the elementary and primary schools because of foundation starts there, says an official. Teaching Service Commission senior appointment officer Lucy Philip said TSC wants qualified teachers at the foundation level to instil the right knowledge and enhance a child’s learning capacity. (Foundation crucial, says official. THE NATIONAL)

• The late Jimmy Uguro died of heart failure according to a post-mortem report, says Prime Minister James Marape. PM told the Usino Bundi people at the district headquarters in Walium Station where the Madang provincial government handed over the body to the people. (Uguro died of heart failure. THE NATIONAL)

• It was indeed a sad day for Usino Bundi District as they gathered at the Opotio Rimoru Hall yesterday to receive the casket of local MP, the Late Jimmy Uguro and Minister for Education.  (Late Uguro was commemorated. LOOP PNG)

• The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has been called to do a position validation to bring millions (Kina) back into the Government and educations sector. TSC senior appointment officer Lucy Philip said in 2023 TSC and the Treasury Department realised there were about 80, 000 teaching positions in the country with 18, 000 (unused) in all 22 provinces. (TSC to do validation. THE NATIONAL)

• Morobe’s Finschaffen development authority has provided K90, 000 funding for a Teaching Service Commission (TSC) position validation for the province. (Authority funds teacher validation process. THE NATIONAL)

• The Scout Association of Papua New Guinea has opened an Early Childhood Learning Centre to education its young members about discipline and values. (Scouts’ open childhood learning centre. THE NATIONAL)

• Madang’s Sotebu Primary School in Middle Ramu is inundated by floodwaters following continuous rainfall and is affecting classes says head teacher Aaron Barnabas. (Flooding hits Madang’s Sotebu Primary. THE NATIONAL)

• The state of women’s rights remains alarming as Papua New Guinea is ranked 169 out of 170 countries in the 2021 United Nations Development Programme Gender Inequality Index. (Women’s rights worry UN. THE NATIONAL)

• Papua New Guinea has made tremendous progress in the fight for equality and justice for all, says Community Development, Youth and Religion Minister Jason Peter. He said the Government has its partners had championed initiatives through policies, legislation, and programmes to promote gender equality and women and girl’s empowerment through business, technology, and other aspects of development. (Progress on equality and justice. THE NATIONAL)

• In a significant gesture of cultural preservation and education, Pastro Royree Jenjen, the author of the acclaimed book, “Sons of Thunder,” donated copies of her work to the Autonomous Bougainville Government. (An inspiring book donated to ABG. LOOP PNG)

• Kimbe Teachers college in West New Britain recently opened a new lecture room to provide a better learning environment for students. (Kimbe teachers’ college opens lecture room. THE NATIONAL)

Current affairs:

• Continuous rain causes havoc for travellers. THE NATIONAL
• Expected cyclone alert. POST COURIER
• Bridge collapses, people stranded after heavy downpour. THE NATIONAL
• Four on trial over meth charges. THE NATIONAL
• 16 provinces impacted by change in weather. POST COURIER
• Australia commits K50m for climate change. POST COURIER

Enga:

• Engan peace deal signed. THE NATIONAL
• Historic ceasefire signed. POST COURIER
• Senior police officers appeal to tribes to end fighting in Enga. POST COURIER
• MP blames leaders for tribal fights. THE NATIONAL
• Wabag to Porgera now accessible. THE NATIONAL
• Traffic resumes on Porgera highway. POST COURIER
• Unidentified warrior of education. LETTERS- THE NATIONAL

Editorial, opinion & feature:

• Journey through education. FEATURE- THE NATIONAL
• Nathan’s journey to success a testament of determination. PNG HAUS BUNG
• Baing take first step to instigate inclusion in societies. POST COURIER
• Online payslips for teachers confusing. LETTERS- THE NATIONAL
• Disadvantages of using ChatGPT. LETTERS- THE NATIONAL
• Teachers are PNG’s foundation. THE NATIONAL

• Cabinet has extended the appointment of Fr Jan Czuba as the acting secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (Dherst). (NEC extends Czuba’s appointment as dept’s acting secretary. THE NATIONAL)

• Cheque payments received from the Education Department by individuals, institutions, organisations, and companies after Dec 32 will still be honoured and processed by all banks in Papua New Guinea, says an official. (Cheque payments to be honoured. THE NATIONAL)

• The University of Goroka Sepik Campus is ready to house 72 students after the completion of two residential hall and a messing facility recently. (UOG Sepik Campus ready to host residential students. EMTV)

• Students nationwide will by now know if they have made it to a Higher Education Institution after the launch of the 7^th National Online Selections by the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology yesterday. (10, 000 students selected into tertiary institutions. PNG HAUS BUNG)

• Prime Minister James Marape has listed overseas engagements among his government’s biggest achievements this year. (Marape lists 2023 achievements. THE NATIONAL)

Enga:

• Long road to Porgera worth the effort, says Marape. THE NATIONAL
• Efforts to fight against global warming in Enga Province. EMTV
• PNG’s Porgera set to re-open Friday. RNZ

AROB:

• Newly Dios bridge improves connectivity for Tinputz. PNG HAUS BUNG

Editorial, feature & opinion:

• Old plane gets some love from students. THE NATIONAL
• First civilian to graduate from Aust army college. THE NATIONAL
• Why pay more when students qualify? LETTERS- THE NATIONAL
• Make technical education compulsory. EDITORIAL- THE NATIONAL
• Literacy and numeracy need ‘a serious look’ to help students in Cook Islands and Niue – researcher. RNZ