Education Department

As of today, students have about 3 weeks before they resume classes.

Monday, January 29^th, is the date confirmed for Term 1 to begin.

This resumption date applies to all primary, secondary and vocational schools nationwide.

According to the Education Department’s draft calendar, Term 1 will comprise of 10 schooling weeks.

The Department of Education urges all principals and vocational centre managers to ensure that all teachers commence full teaching on that day.

(Picture: Unicef)

The Education Department’s First Assistant Secretary for Policy and Research Wing, Peter Kants, says SLIP, which came into existence in 2006, can be easily implemented as it does not require a lot of resources, but needs effective leadership to move it forward.

During a consultative forum with principals and governing councils’ chairpersons on August 14, held at the National Polytechnic Institute, Morobe Province, Kants explained that the SLIP program was borne in 2006 after a review was undertaken on school teaching and learning environment and management. 

Gore said this following the opening of five new teachers houses and a double classroom building at Agenahambo Primary School in Sohe district.

The Minister and local Member said this was a positive outcome despite many negative stories that have been reported in the media about Northern Province.

“Thank you parents and thank you to the school management on how you managed these funds.

“They (Government) are sending money down to the schools, if monies are used properly schools will be developed like these,” Gore said.

The official launching took at the Parliament State Function room yesterday.

The launching is the start of the pilot program to vaccinate girls aged 14 to 19, nationwide in the following years.

The vaccination program will start in the National Capital District in 65 Primary Schools, covering 20,000 girls, beginning in the first week of April, and then will be rolled out across the country in 2018.

Kuman said the Government will ensure that there is proper coordination at all levels following the recent launch of the National Library, Archives and Records Services 10 Year Strategic Plan 2016-2025.

The Government, through National Executive Council decision No: 25/2016, in no uncertain terms directed that no fees of any sort relating to student enrolment be imposed upon parents.

Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra said in line with the NEC decision, he has issued circular instructions; 2/16 and 2/17 in 2016 and 2017.

Kombra said: “Still, reports are coming in that a number of schools are imposing fees, including withholding certificates to collect so-called outstanding fees from parents. That is uncalled for.

“We have ended the 2016 academic year on Friday, December 9, and it is my great pleasure to thank you all for your commitment and efforts throughout the year,” said the Minister.

He stated that despite the difficult financial situation faced by the country, the Education Department managed to implement most of its key policies.

According to the Education Calendar, the Day falls on Thursday, December 1, on the second last week of Term 4.   

In a statement, the Education Department said: “All the schools and national institutions in PNG are issued the Education Calendar at the beginning of each year. 

“The World AIDS Day is one of the important activities featured on the Education Calendar, and therefore, all schools, including the national institutions, must have planned on their school programs the 1^st of December World AIDS Day to be celebrated.”

Following the notice yesterday (Thursday) by acting secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra, teachers confirmed that they received their pay.

Kombra had advised that due to technical problems with the Alesco HRIS, this has affected the processing of salaries for teachers nationwide and the public servants paid under the Education Payroll.

The Payroll Division processed the salaries manually and submitted the payroll files to the Department of Finance to send to the commercial banks.

School official,  Josepha Tonar  who spoke on behalf of the Deputy Principal said project fees for this year  would be K400.

Tonar said K200 was for uniforms and K200 would be  for a new school fence project.

Students were advised that those continuing Grades 10 and 12 are to pay up and commence classes, while new enrollments for  grade 9 and 11 will be properly sorted by midweek. Teachers will have to confirm all student - teacher ratio and allocation of students  in class before the academic year goes into full swing.