Advancing Education in Papua New Guinea

 

One of the primary social development challenges in Papua New Guinea is access to education. With literacy at only 64%, Papua New Guinea has the lowest literacy rate in Oceania and approximately one third of the population is out of school and unemployed. While public education recently became free for all citizens, it is estimated that 10% of school-aged children do not even get a chance to enrol, and almost 50% of those who do enrol drop out before completing the sixth grade.

The challenges to achieving education are extensive. With more than 70% of the population living in rural areas, many of which are largely inaccessible and isolated, there are on-going challenges with classroom infrastructure, learning materials, and basic supplies. There is limited human capacity, with a shortage of skilled teachers and administrative support, and there are also cultural inequalities, particularly around the education of girls. Despite these challenges, there are remarkable initiatives across the country that support the advancement of education, driven by empowered, local people hoping to make a long-lasting difference in their community.

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Hides, Hela Province, 2012.
Hides, Hela Province, 2012.
Hides, Hela Province, 2012.
Hides, Hela Province, 2012.
Para, Hela Province, 2014. Para Primary School.
Para, Hela Province, 2014. Para Primary School.
Mananda, Hela Province, 2013. Libe Irale, Chairman of the Board of Management and former teacher at Mananda Primary School, says that education is life.
Mananda, Hela Province, 2013. Libe Irale, Chairman of the Board of Management and former teacher at Mananda Primary School, says that education is life.
Hides, Hela Province, 2012. Students attending Halimbu Elementary School.
Hides, Hela Province, 2012. Students attending Halimbu Elementary School.
Moro, Southern Highlands, 2013. Tira’abu Elementary School.
Moro, Southern Highlands, 2013. Tira’abu Elementary School.
Homa, Southern Highlands, 2013. In a newly constructed learning centre built by the Homa Marupa Women’s Youth Group, children huddle around a table to learn about the importance of road safety.
Homa, Southern Highlands, 2013. In a newly constructed learning centre built by the Homa Marupa Women’s Youth Group, children huddle around a table to learn about the importance of road safety.
Waru, Hela Province, 2012. Teachers are fundamental to good education and in remote parts of the country, this is no easy task. Despite a lack of resources and government support, most teachers are driven by their own passion, an unwavering determination to further education across the country.
Waru, Hela Province, 2012. Teachers are fundamental to good education and in remote parts of the country, this is no easy task. Despite a lack of resources and government support, most teachers are driven by their own passion, an unwavering determination to further education across the country.
Moro, Southern Highlands, 2013. During an early morning downpour, students huddle around an open window to watch the rain.
Moro, Southern Highlands, 2013. During an early morning downpour, students huddle around an open window to watch the rain.
Porohali, Hela Province, 2014. Since the construction of a road throughout the Hides region, road safety has become a primary concern for local villages. High visibility safety vests have since become a standard uniform throughout the area.
Porohali, Hela Province, 2014. Since the construction of a road throughout the Hides region, road safety has become a primary concern for local villages. High visibility safety vests have since become a standard uniform throughout the area.
Moro, Southern Highlands, 2013. The library at Tira’abu Primary School that supports more than 600 children.
Moro, Southern Highlands, 2013. The library at Tira’abu Primary School that supports more than 600 children.
Hides, Hela Province, 2015.
Hides, Hela Province, 2015.
Porohali, Hela Province, 2014. Since the construction of a road throughout the Hides region, road safety has become a primary concern for local villages. High visibility safety vests have since become a standard uniform throughout the area.
Porohali, Hela Province, 2014. Since the construction of a road throughout the Hides region, road safety has become a primary concern for local villages. High visibility safety vests have since become a standard uniform throughout the area.
Para, Hela Province, 2014. School children play a game of marbles during a break from class.
Para, Hela Province, 2014. School children play a game of marbles during a break from class.
Papa, Central Province, 2015. In Papua New Guinea, it is estimated that 50% of children do not attend school and those that do often drop out before the sixth grade.
Papa, Central Province, 2015. In Papua New Guinea, it is estimated that 50% of children do not attend school and those that do often drop out before the sixth grade.
LeaLea, Central Province, 2014. Teachers from LeaLea Primary School review learning materials to strengthen their teaching.
LeaLea, Central Province, 2014. Teachers from LeaLea Primary School review learning materials to strengthen their teaching.
Papa, Central Province, 2018. The newly built Papa Preschool. Classes used to take place informally beneath the mango tree until a formal structure was built, complete with tiny tables and chairs and bright alphabet letters lining the walls.
Papa, Central Province, 2018. The newly built Papa Preschool. Classes used to take place informally beneath the mango tree until a formal structure was built, complete with tiny tables and chairs and bright alphabet letters lining the walls.
Papa, Central Province, 2018. Elder Baga was the driving force behind the newly built Papa Preschool. “Building this school was a dream come true and an answer to our prayers. I have gone through the ups and downs of life. What I know is that we need to be concerned for our children’s future. Education is the key to everything and we must commit ourselves to this, to ensuring a safe and happy future for our children.”
Papa, Central Province, 2018. Elder Baga was the driving force behind the newly built Papa Preschool. “Building this school was a dream come true and an answer to our prayers. I have gone through the ups and downs of life. What I know is that we need to be concerned for our children’s future. Education is the key to everything and we must commit ourselves to this, to ensuring a safe and happy future for our children.”
 

 

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