Dr Uke Kombra

Education Secretary, Dr Uke Kombra, made this statement when directing all institutions operating within the national education system to resume classes on Monday, April 19^th.

He said the COVID-19 protocols that must be adhered to at all times include the wearing of masks by students, teachers and ancillary staff at all times.

“Schools are encouraged to maintain social distancing at all times and hand sanitisers or hand washing facilities must be provided at the school gates and also in the staff rooms.”

Secretary Kombra said data entry of teachers’ Resumption of Duty Summary Sheets (RoDSS) was supposed to happen last week but with the shutdown of services, the data entry of remaining RoDSS on hand is now affected, thus has been deferred to pay#8, paydate 23rd April.

“Auto-suspension or automated suspension happens when the system (ALESCO payroll) suspends teachers when their resumption of duty form is not registered in the system. This is a normal process that falls around this time of the year.

In a press conference this afternoon, Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra said the department is serious about giving quality education to every child in the country.

Dr Kombra said the Department is cracking down on the issue and will hold principals of those colleges, responsible.

This follows recent reports in the media that the 2019 graduates of Balob Teachers College were querying why the Education Department has yet to approve and issue their Diplomas for posting.

This follows the Education Department’s vetting of graduates where it was established that a large number from Balob did not meet the entry requirements.

A circular dated January 25^th was released from the Education Secretary’s office regarding the decision on 2019 graduates from teacher training institutions.

In the circular, the minimum grade point average, or GPA, for entry was outlined for heads of institutions to follow.

Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra, issued this reminder to provincial education advisors, school inspectors, agencies, principals and stakeholders.

The Secretary warned against those that deal with vested interests and bypass the established processes and deal directly with selected officers in the General Education Services Division and other divisions to register schools.

The awards were given out by Education Secretary, Dr Uke Kombra, to the principals of the respective schools in Port Moresby.

The secretary’s awards are given out to recognize the students and schools that perform highly during an academic year.

“A few years ago we have decided that we must recognize the students and schools that are performing and are working very hard,” stated Dr Kombra.

“This is the third year running that we are going to recognize the schools that have been working very hard to achieve better results for the students.

News of the brutal killing of Central woman, Grace Gavera, who was an employee of the Education Department, went viral on social media, after she was allegedly beaten to death at Erima on Saturday by her partner.

Dr Kombra said it was unfortunate that the Department is observing the 16 Days of Activism Against ‘Gender Based Violence and Human Rights Campaign’, which runs from November 25 to December 10, when this hideous incident took place.

The 2018 National Examination dates are as follows;

• Examination (Grade 10) Monday 8^th October – Friday 12^th October

(1 week only)

A total of 72,012 Grade 10 students in 328 high/secondary schools will sit for the Lower Secondary School Certificate Examination

• Examination (Grade 12) Monday 15^th October – Friday 19^th October

 (1 week only)

More than 50 thousand Grade 10 students nationwide will sit for the examinations.

72,000 Grade 10 students will be expected to sit the exam in 322 provincial high and secondary schools. 

These include the permitted schools that are not under the National Education System.

While there was no record of major incidences of malpractice or cheating during examinations last year, Dr Kombra has issued warnings ahead of the June 7^th exams to teachers and students.

Students will commence classes a week later on Monday, January 29.

Education Secretary, Dr Uke Kombra, says once the teachers resume duties, they will be required to report to their principal, head teacher or manager to confirm that they have been posted to the school by the National Education Board or the Provincial Education Board.

Dr Kombra urges all teachers and new graduates to remember to complete the Resumption of Duty Summary Sheet or RODSS, and Teacher Record of Appointment and other relevant documents.