By: Paraka Maua Pena The recent announcement by the Papua New Guinea Teaching Services Commission (TSC) to recruit university graduates to fill teaching positions in high schools and secondary schools is, in my opinion, flawed and fraught with danger. Obviously there is a shortage of teachers and the TSC intends to fill these teaching positions with new graduates. In the short term, it will temporarily solve one problem, that of filling teaching positions. In the long run, however, this policy or decision will create other serious problems. The main problem is the quality of teaching and learning - that important transaction will be impacted. I fear our children will pay a high price for this decision. For a start, teaching is more than a job. It is a calling. It is hard work. Teachers are generally over worked and under paid. That much is a fact based on my personal experience. So to go into teaching, one must have his/her heart and mind fully committed to the high calling to become a TEACHER.
Apart from Teaching being a Calling, it is a technical field. Teaching is an art. Teachers must understand and appreciate how students learn and prepare and present their lessons accordingly. These intricacies are part of the teacher training curriculum offered by teachers' colleges and universities. We cannot place the hopes and aspirations of PNG's future in its rich mineral resources and large hydrocarbon reserves. These natural resources will be depleted soon. Our children and our young people are our greatest asset and our future. On that basis we must treat education as a priority and plan ahead. The shortage of teachers did not happen overnight. The TSC knew this was coming. This knee jerk reaction and half hearted attempt to solve this endemic problem reflects poorly on those who are tasked with that important responsibility. The education reforms of the 1990s set us back many years, impacting very negatively on the quality of education of a generation of Papua New Guineans. Such sad lessons and exercises must not be repeated. The TSC cannot use these stopgap measures to meddle around with our children's education and their future, especially in the year 2021. Our children's education is too important to trial unproven strategies. Remember that in another 20 years time, we will reap what we sow now. If we sow poor seeds now, the fruit will show. The failings of the education reforms stare at us in the face. We do not want or need a repeat of flawed policies and short sightedness by those who are paid to think creatively to provide balanced and progressive solutions. This is a serious Human Resource Development agenda that needs careful thinking, planning and resourcing. How many times will we keep trying 'New' things. Our children who are our precious jewels, our hope and our future deserve better. Papua New Guinea deserves better. God bless Papua New Guinea, our young people and teachers. Next : Struggling With My Kids To University Share your Inspirational Stories, Education Issues, Education Talk. Let your voice be heard: Send us your stories to us: email : pngedunews@gmail.com Share this
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