Grade 8 and 10 Examination Exit in PNG

Question and Answer Statements
Q1: Why did the Minister decide to clarify his earlier policy announcement?
A: The Minister clarified his earlier policy announcement to address concerns about examinations and selection processes and to assure parents that examinations will not be phased out but instead reformed to remove unfair selection processes.
Q2: Will examinations be removed from the education system?
A: No, examinations will remain in the national education system. The selection processes at Grades 8 and 10 will be removed, but examinations will still be conducted to assess learning outcomes and improve education standards.

​Q3: Why is the government phasing out Grade 8 and 10 selections?
A: The government is phasing out these selections for several reasons:

• To achieve Universal Education and meet Sustainable Development Goal 4, which ensures every child completes primary and secondary education.
• To end an outdated colonial system that classifies students as failures and promotes unfair social and economic divisions.
• To ensure fairness by allowing all students to progress to Grade 12 and have equal opportunities for further education or employment.

Q4: Will education standards drop because of this policy?
A: No, education standards will not drop. Examinations and assessments will continue to measure student performance, and reforms such as curriculum updates, teacher training, and infrastructure improvements will support quality education.
Q5: How will the government address infrastructure challenges for Grade 12 progression?
A: The government will use the following measures:

• Expanding Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) for students unable to attend conventional schools.
• Supporting provinces and districts to build more classrooms and schools.
• Strengthening vocational pathways for practical skill development alongside academic education.

Q6: What steps are being taken to address teacher shortages?
A: The government will recruit university graduates for subject-specific teaching and provide them with Post-Graduate Diplomas in Education (PGDE). It will also allow graduates to begin teaching and complete their PGDE after one or two years of service.
Q7: Will all provinces implement these changes in 2025?
A: No, only provinces with higher Grade 8 to Grade 9 transition rates will implement these changes initially. The reforms will start with removing Grade 8 selections in 2025 and progressively cover other provinces in subsequent years.
Q8: What about students who drop out after Grade 12 exams?
A: Students exiting after Grade 12 will have pathways for further education or employment through vocational training, tertiary education opportunities, collaborations with industries, and second-chance programs like FODE.
Q9: What is the main goal of this education reform?
A: The main goal is to provide every child with the opportunity to complete 13 years of schooling, ensure fairness, and build a more inclusive and equitable education system in Papua New Guinea.

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