Education

Ivanhoe Grammar School has partnered with e-NABLE, a community of online 3D designers, so students can learn how to make and produce prosthetics.

Steve Brophy, the school's director of information and communication technology and eLearning, said the school had used 3D printers for years but was looking for more meaningful projects.

"We wanted to move past the kids just printing knick-knacks and thinking that things like bobble heads and little toy cars were good enough.

The National Scientific Statement, released last week, found participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in Australian schools was declining, with enrolments in these subjects at the lowest level in 20 years.

It also reported that performance in these STEM subjects had slipped and if the decline continued, "Australia may be unable to supply the skills required for the future workforce".

Sunset State School in Mount Isa offers students breakfast, morning tea, and lunch free of charge — something teachers say is helping the entire community.

"It's available to everyone that comes here — any families, any children, any background," said principal Bryon Burke.

"We believe it's highly beneficial for our school and our kids, and certainly that's what the data is telling us."

Attendance rates improve

The index of community socio-educational advantage (ICSEA) ranks schools according to their level of educational advantage.

Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra said they’d like to see library services established right across the country in the 22 provinces and 89 districts as it is very essential in the education system.

Dr Kombra said the Department of Education is there to support the Office of Libraries and Archives (OLA) to also have libraries extended to every school in the country.

“A lot of the districts are implementing the library plan but we need to have an advocacy plan in place on the importance of libraries.

Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate has 32 sisters working in different parts of PNG in the areas of health, education and skills training.

The training includes sewing, hygiene, nutrition, spiritual and human formation which takes place in two different communities in Wapipi and Liluta.

Kiriwina Island has a high school and six primary schools but unfortunately a very high number of young people drop out of school or without any formal education.

Sr. Bridgit Suvakeen says many women never went to school, while others abandoned the school after one or two years.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has set out plans for them in the Budget.

He says these type of qualifications have not always been on an equal footing with academic ones - and wants that to change.

T-levels will allow 16 to 19-year-olds to study in 15 sectors in subjects like hair and beauty or construction.

The courses will replace thousands that are currently on offer and it's claimed they will make access to the job market easier.

Students in further education or technical college will also be eligible for maintenance loans.

He also challenged big companies and corporations to follow his lead.

Schools in the US city are being threatened with early closure this summer or laying off staff because of funding shortages.

Speaking to reporters he said: "This isn't about politics, this isn't about posturing, this is about taking care of the kids."

Chance handed over a giant cheque to students at a primary school in the West Chatham area of Chicago, part of its infamous South Side.

He grew up the area and his lyrics often reference his childhood.

The recently launched National Library, Archives and Records Services 10 Year Strategic Plan 2016-2025 aims to deliver sustainable, accessible, fair, equal and quality library and archives services to the people.

Kombra revealed that before the Board was established, there was a lack in the governance system.

He said there was a vacuum in the way the governance of this agency was managed and there were a lot of issues.

The last NLA Board meeting was held in 2006 and it has been 11 years since the Office of Library and Archives operated without the NLA Board.

Kuman revealed that when TFF was first introduced in 2012, there were problems in making sure that there was transparency and accountability in terms of the disbursement and use of the funds.

There are officers, school inspectors and TFF coordinators in each province, now on ground to effectively monitor the implementation of the TFF Policy. 

The Minister said that school inspectors in the country must increase right throughout 89 districts in the country so that they can be able to visit all the schools and do all the quality checks.

Kuman confirmed that an Open Member receives K10m for the district and 20 percent of that goes to education.

He said therefore every Member of Parliament (MP) has the responsibility to build the capacity of schools in their districts.

“The Government pays for school fees under the Tuition Free Fee Policy and we make sure that teaching and learning materials are at the schools.

“We make sure that the teachers are trained properly and are at school, that’s our responsibility,” Kuman said.