Some progress have been made to achieving Universal Besic Education in PNG howeverthere is still more to be done.
Dr. Arnold Kukari ofthe National ResearchInstitute highlighted this duringthe launch ofthe institute’s latest report.
The report titled ‘Universalizing Besic Education in Papua New Guinearsquo;: Experiences, Lessons LearntoandInterventions for achievingthe goal of Universal Besic Education in PNG rsquo; was launched bythe Minister for Education James Marape atthe National ResearchInstitute on Wednesday.
The report captures insights from academics presented atthe UBe conference in 2011 oPNG’s progress towards achievingthe goal of UBe.
Author ofthe report and research fellow at NRI, Dr. Kukari while providing an overview ofthe report said free and compulsory education was one way identiflied to encourage school aged children to go to school.
“The government is providing free and compulsory education and we are glad. That’s something that’s been advocated by a variety of people and organisations andthe government has taken a bold mover towards providing free education for all,” said Kukari.
He said research also found that despite gains made overthe years with more children going to school, many do not complete Grade 8. This he said is associated withthe quality of teacher education.
Minister Marape’sain PNG has made some progress since 2008 becausethe government has priorit’sedthe education sector inthe last four years.
“We’ve come 3 years from 53 per cent to almost 75 per cent now so its 20 % leap already in 3 years,” said Marape.
He said his department is not pressured to achieving UBe by 2015. However,they will slowly work towards achieving it inthe long run.
He saidthe government is also looking at increasingthe scope of UBe to Grade 12.
He said a partnership between all levels of government is vital to delivering free education.
Minister Marape’says whilstthe government pays for the school fees; Provinces, Districts and LLGs should take some responsibility to establish infrastructure intheir schools.
Catption: Dr. Arnold Kukari ofthe National ResearchInstitute speaking duringthe launch ofthe institute’s latest report.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_XdW4KFbOBe%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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