Upper secondary school subject combinations
Upper secondary school subject combinations
In Papua New Guinea, selecting the right subject combinations in upper secondary schools is a critical step in shaping students’ future careers and academic pathways. Properly structured subject choices not only ensure alignment with the national curriculum but also prepare students for entry into colleges, universities, and relevant job markets. Schools play a central role in guiding students to make informed decisions by providing the right subjects, qualified teachers, and approved combinations that meet both educational and career requirements. Following these guidelines ensures that students are well-equipped to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Purpose and Importance
It is essential for all upper secondary schools in Papua New Guinea to ensure that subject combinations are properly structured to:
It is essential for all upper secondary schools in Papua New Guinea to ensure that subject combinations are properly structured to:
- Support students’ career pathways.
- Enable informed subject selection aligned with students’ future goals.
- Maintain consistency with the National Curriculum Framework.
- Align with college and university course entry requirements.
- Prepare students for career opportunities and job markets.
Responsibilities of Schools
- Schools must take active responsibility in the delivery of upper secondary subjects by:
- Providing the correct subject combinations that support career and tertiary pathways.
- Ensuring qualified teachers are available to teach each subject offered.
- Avoiding misaligned combinations that do not meet curriculum or tertiary standards.
- Advising students and parents on suitable combinations based on career goals.
- Reviewing and updating subject offerings annually to stay aligned with national and tertiary requirements.
Upper Secondary School Subjects
Stream |
Subjects |
Science |
Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHE), Physics (PHY), Applied Science (AS) |
Business |
Economics (ECO), Business Studies (BS), Accounting (ACC) |
Arts / Social Science |
History (HIS), Geography (GEO), Geology (GL), Legal Studies (LS) |
Technology |
Information Communication & Computer Technology (ICCT) |
English |
Language & Literature (LL), Applied English (AE) |
Mathematics |
Advanced Mathematics (AM), General Mathematics (GM) |
Subject Combination Guidelines
- Each student must take a balanced set of subjects that fit into recognized streams.
- Schools should guide students to select combinations that match tertiary admission requirements.
- English and Mathematics are compulsory subjects in all streams.
- Combinations must be approved by the Department of Education.
- Schools must not mix unrelated subjects (e.g., combining Physics with Legal Studies inappropriately).
Creating and maintaining proper subject combinations is vital for ensuring students’ academic and career success. Schools play a key role in guiding choices, maintaining curriculum alignment, and preparing students for tertiary studies and employment.
Below are subject combination for the stream
Please visit the tabs below to access proper subject combination for each stream.
