by Benny Geteng – EMTV, Port Moresby
Secretary for Education, Dr. Michael Tapo, has appealed to the civil society to provide their views on issues that should be addressed in the proposed amended Education Act. This significant review is envisioning the future; hence, it is interconnected to other laws.
Dr. Tapo made this appeal in light of the regional consultations that began in June this year, and other inter-government forums stipulating the significance of changing time and place influencing policies and practices.
So far, three regional consultations have been done: Southern, from the 16th – 20th June, New Guinea Islands, from August 18th – 22nd and the Highlands, from the 22nd – 26th September.
“The next region to be consulted will be the Momase Region. This will be held from the 27th – 31st October, 2014”, said the Secretary.
In addition, he said the preliminary consultation has been done with the Constitutional Law Reform Commission on the 2nd September, 2014.
The Secretary said areas the civil society can make comments on may include:
- Boards of Management, Boards of Governors and Governing Council
- Free and Compulsory Education
- Quality of Education
- Boards of Studies for Elementary, Primary, Secondary, etc. EMTVonline2014
- Curriculum
- Language of Instruction
- Structure of Public Service and Administration at Provincial and District levels
- Powers and authority of Provincial Education Advisers, District Education Advisers, District Administrators and accountability must be clearly articulated
- Teacher Education/Technical Education
- 2-6-6 School System/Structure for elementary, primary and High Schools
Also, he said the remaining consultations will be held with the Permitted Schools, International Education Agency and the churches in November.
Meanwhile, the Secretary said the final consultation will be held for the appropriate Government Departments also in the month of November or December.
Dr. Tapo has urged the public and those provinces consulted already to submit their views or queries to this email address: Act_Review@education.gov.pg.
