Papua New Guinea is stepping up efforts to protect the integrity of its national examinations, following renewed concerns raised by education officials over security lapses. At a gathering of Provincial Education Advisors in the capital, stakeholders agreed that safeguarding Grade 12 examinations must remain a top priority to maintain confidence in the system. The Measurement Services Division told the meeting that weaknesses persist in key stages of exam handling, including printing, storage and delivery, leaving room for potential tampering. Papua New Guinea’s push to modernise its classrooms has gathered pace following the introduction of five new digital applications by the Department of Education, marking a major shift in how schools are managed across the country.
The rollout, announced in Port Moresby, signals a transition from manual processes to technology-driven systems aimed at improving oversight, efficiency and service delivery throughout PNG’s education sector. A proposal to transform Marianville Secondary School into a university for girls has been put forward by Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
Speaking at the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations in Bomana, Sir Bob used the occasion to outline his ambition for the institution’s future growth beyond secondary education. He described Marianville as a centre of excellence that has, over the years, shaped the lives of many young women through quality education and strong values. Reflecting on its history, he noted the school’s transformation from a small establishment into one of the most respected girls’ schools in the country. Secondary education in Papua New Guinea is set for a targeted uplift following the launch of a new collaborative program between the PNG and Australian governments aimed at improving learning outcomes in key subjects.
The PNG Secondary Education Program will run from 2026 to 2029 and will concentrate its efforts on selected high-performing secondary schools, including National Schools of Excellence, with a strong emphasis on practical, school-based improvements. Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae has hailed Marianville Secondary School for its long-standing contribution to girls’ education, urging students to stay focused despite mounting national challenges.
Addressing students, staff and invited guests during the school’s 60th anniversary cultural celebrations in Bomana, Sir Bob said the occasion reflected both academic achievement and the country’s diverse cultural identity. Divine Word University in Papua New Guinea has marked another milestone in its development with the official opening of new student infrastructure at its Wewak campus.
The university commissioned the projects on April 21, bringing into use a modernised Nursing Simulation Laboratory and a newly built Male Student Recreational Hall. The 2026 rollout of the First Aid in Schools (FAIS) program is now underway in PNG, with hundreds of students already trained across the National Capital District and Central Province.
The initiative, led by St John Ambulance Papua New Guinea in partnership with the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, is equipping young people with essential first aid knowledge, including emergency response and disease prevention skills. The Papua New Guinea Department of Education has issued a formal correction regarding the 2026 Education Calendar, clarifying that schools will remain open this Friday, April 17.
In Secretary’s Circular Instruction No: 05/2026, dated April 13, 2026, the Office of the Secretary addressed Provincial Education Advisers, Principals, and Heads of Schools to correct a scheduling error concerning the King's Birthday public holiday. Correction of Calendar Error The Department confirmed that the inclusion of Friday, April 17, 2026, as a public holiday in the official calendar was "entirely unintentional." Consequently, Friday is designated as a normal working day, and normal classes are expected to continue. A new policy targeting equality and inclusion has been introduced in Papua New Guinea, with DHERST unveiling its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) framework.
The initiative signals a renewed effort to address workplace disparities while ensuring equal opportunities across all levels of the department. The policy draws from findings gathered during a March 2025 sensitisation programme facilitated through the Improved TVET for Employment Project, which assessed gaps in inclusivity within the department. Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands Governor William Powi has reaffirmed his government’s backing for higher education, announcing a K1 million funding boost to Western Pacific University during its second graduation ceremony in Ialibu.
The event brought together former Prime Minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill, provincial officials, families and graduates under the theme “Shaping Digital Futures: A Decade of Transformation,” marking another milestone for the young institution. |
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