The schooling system in Papua New Guinea has failed many students due to their difficulties in understanding English, according to the founder of a high school in one of the country's remotest regions. Mongulu Secondary, located in the isolated part of Middle-Fly in Western Province, was established in 2019, initially catering to Grades Nine and 10. The school celebrated its first Grade 10 graduation in 2022. Sally Lloyd, the founder and wife of the school principal, highlighted the challenges faced by students in remote areas. "Being in a remote area and providing an education, we have seen more students drop out of school when sitting for Grade 10 national exams not because they are not smart, but mostly because there is a lack of English language comprehension," said Lloyd. "Lack of English comprehension is a real challenge for us as a remote school, which could be the same for other remote areas in the country."
Lloyd emphasized the hardships students endure to access education, with some walking up to two weeks and others two to three days, motivated by their dedication despite tribal conflicts and cultural obligations. "In the PNG education system, there are many difficult subjects like chemistry and physics that students must have a good grasp of English to understand. We also need to include practical subjects like agriculture that students can engage in," she said. "The language barrier is really something that needs to be addressed. We need not only good teachers but also those who are comfortable working in remote parts of the country to educate," Lloyd added. In recent history, enemy territories have managed to find common ground through the use of English as a communal language, aiding in educational efforts. Lloyd noted that students who drop out after Grade 10 are given opportunities to continue their education through flexible, open, and distance education programs. "We are trying our best to improve English comprehension so that other subjects can be easily understood," she said. Also read Comments are closed.
|
: Get Free Webpage for your School. Send us your School Profile now
>> STUDY IN PNG Follow PNG Online School |