By Vasinatta Yama, EM TV – Mt Hagen
Enga Teachers College Principal, Michael Homingo, said the Education Department lacks teacher upskilling programs.
Mr. Homingo said this at the 5th Graduation of Enga Teachers College (ETC), last Friday.
He said the National Government needs to put tough measures on teaching programs to achieve quality and standard.
Over 200 students graduated with Certificates in Elementary teaching and a three-year diploma course in Primary Teaching at Enga Teachers College.
School Principal Homingo told the graduands to go for further studies and receive Bachelors degrees to upskill themselves.
Mr. Homingo said this because very little attention is given to teacher development, upskilling and welfare.
The establishment of Enga Teachers College in 2011 has addressed the chronic teacher shortage in Enga Province.
Before 2011, the Province had over 300 spaces vacant for primary teachers.
Enga now has a surplus of primary school teachers as so far, ETC has graduated 467 primary teachers and 150 elementary teachers.
Mr. Homingo said the province must have a continued supply of teachers at all levels of education, in order to achieve Enga’s vision of human capital development.
He said the ongoing upskilling of teachers is important, because teachers have a huge influence on the intelligence of a nation.
Mr. Homingo said the Province’s in-service programs are not up to standard, and the Education department does not have upskilling programs for teachers.
He urged the National Government to make it mandatory for teachers to undergo recognised upskilling programs after every three years, till retirement.
