By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Mt Hagen
Veteran Papua New Guinean Journalist, John Eggins, says teachers are the front line influencers of knowledge and intelligence.
Mr Eggins gave an inspiring guest of honor speech at Holy Trinity Teachers College, during its inaugural 1st Bachelors Program and the 26th Diploma in Primary Education graduation in Mt Hagen yesterday (14 October, 2018).
Eggins urged teachers throughout Papua New Guinea, to have discipline and make sure they are in the classroom from 8am to 4:06pm every day.
Mr Eggins says education should be a prerequisite of life or a must for children to enrol before making life choices.
Mr Eggins urged the Provincial and National Government when building more schools; they must invest in teacher education to complement their policies.
The education department has re-introduced the Standard Based Curriculum or SBC in schools this year to emphasise on standards.
Teacher Education Division Assistant Secreatry, Allan Jim says starting next year, the elementary concept will be phased out and early childhood will be introduced.
There will be upskilling training for teachers to be specialised in literacy and numeracy, to reduce the high number of low literacy and numeracy rate in the country.
Meanwhile, Holy Trinity Teachers College is the first in PNG to offer Degree Courses for Bachelor students to teach in Primary Schools.
They graduated their first batch of 20 degree students.
Another 260 students graduated with diploma in Primary Teaching.
Board Chairman, Hugo Kop announced to the school that starting next year, Holy Trinity Teachers College will recruit post-graduate lectures.
The College is also partnering with Divine Word University to offer university courses in the college.
School Principal, Michael Miamel says the College is confident to offer quality teacher training to fulfil PNG’s Vision 2050 to educate all the children of PNG.
