Teacher

A teacher's dedication to inclusive education

Today, as the Senior Coordinator for Curriculum and Inspections in inclusive education, she stands as a beacon of change in Papua New Guinea's educational landscape.

900 teachers in Madang await leave fares

With the 2024 academic year weeks away from commencing, many teachers are still waiting and have been kept in suspense. Those waiting will face the dilemma of taking leave upon receiving their payments or putting off holidays altogether.

According to Madang Education Office acting advisor John Ura, the Treasury Office has advised them that individual cheques have been written out for teachers banking with Kina Bank and Westpac and are ready to be disbursed; however, pending the signing of Form 11.

Empowering women leaders

Born and raised in the tranquil village of Lontis, Haku Constituency, Bougainville, she reflects on her carefree childhood by the sea, emphasising her journey from a simple coastal life to becoming a senior education official with a Master's Degree from Australia.

Growing up as the second eldest of nine daughters, Dorothy attributes her strong leadership and consensus-building skills to her upbringing. Her mother, a role model in their community, instilled in her the values of hard work and determination.

Debbra Harong – Teaching for prosperous Bougainville

She comes from Reito Village from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and her dream is to see the next generation of Bougainvilleans complete 12 years of schooling.

Debbra believes that by educating young people, Bougainville can strive towards prosperity, and she feels responsible for educating these children to ensure that the community has higher education levels in the future.

Her passion for teaching motivated her to work as an unpaid teacher for many years before qualifying as a teacher in 2007.

‘Thank you’ is a great reward

She aims to show her students “that through commitment in education, they can make a difference”.

After completing a Bachelor of Education, (Secondary Teaching STEM) at St Peter Chanel Catholic College for Secondary Teacher Education, through an Australia Awards scholarship, she now teaches at Kwip Dau Secondary School in the Western Highlands.

Gethrude loves being a teacher as she learns so many new things.

Volunteer teacher appeals for support

She is one of eight teachers who sacrifice their time to teach children from the surrounding areas of Voco Point, Chinatown, Bumbu and Butibam Village.

She is urging the Ahi LLG president and Lae district leaders to assist them with teaching and learning materials.

“Not on the payroll but we teach as volunteer teachers,” she said. “Sometimes it’s hard; we come to work hungry but we still come to school to teach the children so they can have a better future.

“Right now we don’t have teaching materials; we make do with whatever is there.

Going beyond the classroom

Rachel Koralyo, a teacher aide with a science degree and no teaching experience, found herself providing voluntary after-school lessons to students who approached her.

She wanted to help students who were eager to learn and improve their performance in school.

Koralyo applied for an Australia Awards PNG scholarship to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).

Everyday People: Paulon Podomo

I am 27-years-old, from Marofen village in North Fly District of Western Province.

I graduated with a Diploma in Primary Teaching in 2019 from Sacred Heart Teachers College with support from Australia Awards In-PNG Scholarships.

I am a proud alumnus and ambassador.

“Welcome home. Welcome to Biangabip. Welcome to St. Monica Primary School!”

This was the welcome I received from parents and happy children when I arrived at St. Monica Primary School, located in the mountains of Western Province bordering Sandaun and Southern Highlands provinces.

Everyday People: Andrew Pokana

Mr. Pokana started teaching in 2020, straight after he graduated with a Diploma in Primary Education at Balob Teachers College in 2019. Before he was selected to Balob, he completed secondary education at Kwikila Secondary School in 2016. 

“I chose the path that I'm currently taking now because I wanted to give back to my community, district, province and the country as a whole. Giving back in a way of molding this young generation at the Primary School level to become good citizens of our country.  And with my dad being a teacher, motivated me to do so,” he said. 

Everyday People: Patricia Martin

I grew up in Port Moresby and have been a teacher for over 20 years in the English & Literature Department at Port Moresby International School (POMIS).
 
I attended Gerehu Community School in 1978 then continued to Gerehu High School. 
 
At the end of Grade 10, I proceeded to Sogeri National High School to do my Grade 11 and 12. After year 12, I got selected to attend UPNG in the Education Faculty, majoring in English / Literature and minoring in History.