Pori High School in Hela Province has been officially upgraded to Pori Secondary School. The announcement was made by Mr. Ronny Angu, the Director of Hela Provincial Education Department, during a ceremony attended by esteemed guests and community members. During the ceremony, Mr. Ronny Angu revealed that the students who completed grade 10 last year will now progress to grade 11 in the newly elevated Pori Secondary School. The announcement was met with enthusiasm from the school board members, councillors of Pori Electorate, teachers, and the local community members from Tari Pori Electorate.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra has issued a warning to school principals and head teachers charging additional fees. Those found guilty will face suspension without pay and legal consequences.
Dr Kombra emphasized that the government had already disbursed K314 million to cover Term One tuition, boarding, and project fees for every student. These funds were transferred directly to school accounts or provincial trust accounts last Thursday and Friday. To maintain order in the first week of school, the Department of Education will not address defiant head teachers and principals immediately. However, starting on Feb 5, action will be taken against those found in violation.
Despite issued notices against charging fees, reports have surfaced of schools persisting in collecting tuition and project fees. To avoid suspension and legal actions, head teachers and principals are urged to cease fee collection immediately. They should also send official letters to parents, instructing them not to pay any further fees, and refund any fees already collected.
Parents and the public are encouraged to report any defiant head teachers to local school inspectors or directly to the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) division. Reports must be accompanied by evidence of fees being charged, notices for fees, deposit forms, and/or receipts. Dr Kombra explained that schools with genuine projects should submit their project proposals to Parents and Citizens (P&Cs), then to the Provincial Education Board (PEB) or National Education Board (NEB). The proposal should specify the project, budget shortfall, years required to complete the project, and obtain written approval from NEB or PEB to collect fees. He clarified that PEBs should not set blanket fees but allow P&Cs of each school to submit and justify the fees to be collected. In a related development, Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister Don Polye announced the disbursement of outstanding 2023 Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS) payments, totaling K30.5 million. Polye assured that there were no outstanding TESAS arrears and explained the process for students in AES or HECAS to receive funds as academic awards. He highlighted the authority of universities and higher education institutions' governing councils to set annual tuition fees, potentially adjusting them as needed. The Tesas program operates under regulations, and a digitized system has been introduced for Tesas awards linked to available funds. The system swiftly identifies eligible students and awards Tesas transparently. Continuing and new students follow the same regulations and systems, with GPAs playing a crucial role in award considerations. Watch Video and subscribe to Youtube
In a shocking revelation, numerous teachers across elementary, primary, and secondary schools in Papua New Guinea have been exposed for being absent from their appointed schools while still receiving salaries from the government. The scandal involves hundreds of educators who allegedly bribed school head teachers, school inspectors, and officials from the Teaching Service Commission and Payroll offices to secure teaching positions and ensure their inclusion in the payroll.
One of the most affected regions is the Morobe Province, where the inspectorate division conducted inspections and identified approximately 900 teachers who were on the payroll but nowhere to be found in their designated schools. According to Provincial Senior School Inspector Kwinda Trenian, out of a total of 4,008 teachers expected in 399 primary schools, only 3,036 could be verified as fulfilling their professional obligations. Hundreds of teachers targeted by scammers prompting caution from PNG Teachers Service Commission1/27/2024
In a concerning trend, well-educated Papua New Guinean teachers are increasingly becoming victims of cash bribery scams, with scammers exploiting their desperation for expedited salary payments.
The chairman of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Samson Wangihomie, delivered a stern warning to teachers during a dedication service in Port Moresby on Monday. He cautioned against succumbing to the allure of paying cash to accelerate the processing of outstanding salaries. Wangihomie revealed that scammers are actively targeting unsuspecting teachers through platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
In a recent announcement, Aita Sanangkepe, the President of the PNG Teachers Association (PNGTA), has confirmed that the long-awaited 3% increment payment for teachers is scheduled to be disbursed by April of this year.
Acknowledging the extended timeline since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PNGTA and Teaching Service Commission in December, Sanangkepe revealed that the crucial document is currently in the hands of the Department of Personal Management (DPM). UPNG Announces, Non School Leavers, Continuing students, School Leavers Lists for 2024 Academic Year1/24/2024
The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has released important updates for the upcoming 2024 academic year. The information includes: In a steadfast commitment to fostering educational opportunities in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, Australia continues its support through the #PNGAusPartnership. Since 2019, Australia has generously sponsored over 100 scholarships for Flexible and Open Distance Education (FODE), benefiting elementary teachers, health workers, and volunteers residing along the Kokoda Track region. Among the beneficiaries is Natasha Maino, one of 18 elementary teachers and two health volunteers from the Sogeri region sponsored to pursue studies through FODE. Natasha successfully matriculated at the Central FODE center, completing her program in 2022. PNG Teaching Service Commission Implements Strict Guidelines for Teacher Appointments and Conduct1/24/2024
In a recent directive, the Papua New Guinea Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has advised the National Capital District Education Service (NCDES) against appointing individuals without the requisite qualifications into the teaching service. TSC Chairman Samson Wangihomie emphasized that appointments should only proceed once Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra issues provisional registration certificates, and the TSC formally admits the candidates. Wangihomie, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2024 academic year for NCD schools in Port Moresby on Monday, highlighted the distinction between primary school teachers and college graduates, specifically those from the University of Goroka (UOG). He clarified that while UOG graduates had been provisionally admitted during graduation, the same did not apply to teachers without teaching qualifications, whether from PNG or overseas. In a heartfelt testimony to her unwavering dedication, AMPRIN Nahol, hailing from Morobe, Papua New Guinea (PNG) finds her motivation in the students she teaches. As a senior subjects officer specializing in personal development at Malang Technical Secondary School in Morobe, Nahol has been an integral part of the institution for 15 years.
Despite being slated for a transfer to another school in accordance with the education system, Nahol's appointment is still pending. In a display of commitment, she has chosen to remain at Malang Secondary, citing the uniqueness of the school, its students, and the dual curriculum it provides. TEACHERS serving in remote schools in the country will be given an extra annual allowance at the end of the academic year through the Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA). Association president Aita Sanangkepe said this after an agreement with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) which will see the annual allowance be effective as of this year under three categories. |
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