By Adelaide Sirox Kari – EMTV News, Port Moresby
2019 will see schools across the country change to the 166 school structure. As elementary schools will come under Primary School and Secondary schools take on year 7 and 8.
For the nation’s capital which has more than 8,000 students and 2,100 plus teachers, the change is expected to be a massive challenge.
It’s the last month of 2018 and this may be the last time for schools to host Grade 8 graduation ceremonies.
Yesterday, 312 students from Waigani Primary school graduated, as their parents and guardians looked on with pride.
The restructure of grades 1 to 6 and 7 to 12 for public schools will see a massive task ahead, especially for infrastructures.
The Waigani Primary Head Teacher at the Grade 8 graduation ceremony said his Grade 8 students performed well this year, compared to previous years.
Now the task ahead for his school is to get the infrastructure needed for the 166 structure change.
The structure is supposed to allow students to get a quality early-childhood education in Grades 1 to 6, to prepare them for grades 7 to 12.
For teachers, there will be a greater demand for degree holders in education to improve quality.
Tuition fee-free education has seen major increases of students in a class and the ratio of Teachers to Students.
Head Teacher Modekewau says students will now have to take their studies seriously.
Meanwhile, in NCD, Kila Kila and Tokara Secondary trialed the 166 structure, with primary schools expected to take on the change by next year.
