Education officials and stakeholders in the National Education System should stop using the title ‘standard officer’ and use the former title, ‘school inspector’, instead.
The Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra is issuing the advice according to the Secretary’s Instruction No. 12 of 2016.
“The title ‘school inspector’ was used in the past until it was changed to ‘standard officer’ when the Standards Division of the Department, formerly known as Inspections and Guidance Division, was going through an inspection review process in 2016,” Dr Kombra said in a statement.
“This review saw a shift in inspectors’ work from teacher appraisal to whole school improvement and accountability.”
He revealed that the title change was also criticised. The main critique was that standard officer did not carry with it the authority, potency, fear and respect to some extent as it used to in the past.
“It is believed that the title of school inspector has more psychological advantage and positive impact.
“The titles standard officers and regional directors will cease immediately.”
The new changes are reflected below:
|
NO |
CURRENT TITLE |
NEW TITLE |
|
1 |
Senior Standards Officer – Basic Education |
Senior School Inspector – Basic Education |
|
2 |
Senior Standard Officer - Secondary |
Senior School Inspector – Secondary |
|
3 |
Senior Standards Officer - NHS |
Senior School Inspector – NHS |
|
4 |
Senior Standards Officer - FODE |
Senior Inspector – FODE |
|
5 |
Standard Officer – Basic Education |
School Inspector – Basic Education |
|
6 |
Regional Director – Education Standards |
Regional Director – Education Standards & Inspections |
As a result, the division name will also be changed from the current Standards Division to School Inspections Division.
“The Department’s Human Resource and Organisation Development Division (HROD) will ensure that all these changes are effected in the next round of reviews of job descriptions,” states the Secretary.
“All inspectors and directors are advised to use their new titles in all correspondences, letter heads and at all public appearances.”
(File picture of Koki Primary School in Port Moresby)