Category

Education

Category
News

DWU Rabaul Campus opens a new administration building

By
DWU Rabaul Campus opens new administration building

The Divine Word University or DWU Rabaul Campus officially opened a two-story administration building at the Kabaleo Teachers College in Kokopo District on Friday (5 April) 2024.

The building is named after the late Archbishop Karl Hesse, and replaces the old building that was burnt down in 2010.

DWU Rabaul Campus

Speaking at the occasion, DWU Rabaul Campus Vice President, Professor Francis Hombhanje said the national government financed the building at a cost of K2.2 million and had been constructed by Kanda Construction Limited.

“St Mary’s Vunapope School of Nursing is now a department of nursing under the faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences and is no longer school of nursing.

“OLSH Kabaleo Teachers college is now a department of Primary Teachers Education under the faculty of Education and is no longer Kabaleo Teachers college,” said Prof Hombhanje.

The DWU Rabaul Campus consists of two faculties; the faculty of Education and the faculty of
Medicine & Health Sciences and has been developing new infrastructures slowly but steadily.

Delivering the speech for the Minister of Department of Higher Education, Research, Science,
Technology & Sports (DHESRSTS) Don Polye, was Principal Data Analyst Franklyn Kulukal
who said that true power emanates from one’s ability to learn from their mistakes and emerge
stronger and wiser.

“I extend a challenge to this great institution to expand our offerings to encompass Early
Childhood Education and Secondary Education. Also extending into the highest echelons of
academia like Masters and PhDs. I also call on the DWU nursing program to diversify our
programs into specialized branches such as pediatric nursing, critical care nursing, mental
health nursing, community health nursing, obstetric & gynecological nursing and geriatric
nursing,” said Ms. Kulukal.

The expansion will cater for evolving needs in health care and ensure that nurses are fully
equipped and specialized with the necessary skills they need.

She further commended the leadership of Prof Hombhanje for the transformation from ashes
into a magnificent building, adding that the structure stands as a testament of his exemplary
leadership.

Deputy Provincial Member Boniface Gerep said that the DWU Rabaul campus has shown it’s
potential by extending it’s infrastructures as it advances it’s status to be one of the leading
institutions in the province and country.

“The ENB Provincial Government is embarking on improving all our existing secondary schools
to meet the standards,” said Mr. Gerep.

ENB Education Planner Wilson Kairat said that the provincial administration will continue to
support the institution to make sure students are given the best so they can go out and serve
the people.

Keep Reading
By
Education

Scholarships for Geoscience Students

By
Nickel 28 support development of professional geoscientists

In efforts to foster the growth of more qualified professional geoscientists in Papua New Guinea, Nickel 28 Capital Corporation, formerly known as the Highlands Pacific is sponsoring two geoscience students at the University of Papua New Guinea.

The announcement was made last month (Thursday, February 22) by Nickel 28 Capital Corporation’s Head of Asia Pacific, Craig Lennon.

“We want to give back to PNG. Having more professional geoscientists is an area that needs more support,” said Lennon during the award presentation.

Shirley Ambang, who was the inaugural recipient of this scholarship when it was first introduced last year (2023) continues her scholarship this year (2024), while Tongia, is a first time recipient of the scholarship.

The scholarship valued at K19,000 per year covers tuition fees, lodging fees, book and living allowances for Ambang and Tongia.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES: Carlos Tongia (Left), and Shirley Ambang (Right), are two of the first N28 Capital Corporation scholarship awardees. They now have a stronger chance of employment in the mining industry with this scholarship.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES: Carlos Tongia (Left), and Shirley Ambang (Right), are two of the first N28 Capital Corporation scholarship awardees. They now have a stronger chance of employment in the mining industry with this scholarship.

“This is only our second year for this scholarship. We started last year with the objective of growing to the point that we have an ongoing program with three students each year,” added Lennon.

The tertiary student’s sponsorship package is an initiative of Nickel 28 Capital Corporation carried out in partnership with the Earth Sciences Division in the School of Natural and Physical Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).

This support takes much of the school fee burden off of the students and their families.

It also assures resource companies like Nickel 28, that there is and will be a sufficient pool of professional geoscientists to recruit from in the future and gives certainty of employment for scholarship awardees after graduation.

Nickel 28 Capital Corporation is a Toronto-based Company that holds 8.56% joint-venture interest in the world-class Ramu Nickel Cobalt operation in the Madang province.

Keep Reading
By
Education

Support for Education

By
Support for Education

The Department of Education, through the Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) center in Port Moresby signed a Memorandum of Understanding, signifying their partnership with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

The three – year agreement aims at addressing the department’s guiding principle of “Leaving No Child Behind” strengthens the collaborative effort between OTDF and FODE in delivering FODE services to the mine affected areas of Western Province.

Deputy Secretary Waipe Wingi (left) and OTDF Executive Manager Andrew Mari (right).

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation over the years they have been delivering services in Education, Health, Social Development, including infrastructure Development in Western Province,

As a registered study center since 2019, OTDF has been collecting fees and meeting costs of satellite centers in the province. With this agreement, OTDF will be meeting full fees and operational costs.
The Education Department through FODE will provide all learning materials, including training and orientation of tutors and administrative support, for the effective delivery of FODE in Western Province.
This initiative has seen students from remote areas, in the province enroll with full correspondence and upgrading programs.

First Assistance Secretary of FODE and Inclusive Education, Andrew Angobe acknowledged the Management of Ok Tedi Development Foundation, for their commitment in providing a pathway for students in the province.
“Please pass our appreciation to the management of Ok Tedi Development Foundation, for investing in education for the people of Western Province.” Angobe said.
He also challenged other resource centers throughout the country to partner with FODE and invest in education.

The Principle of FODE, Anthony Rayappan, also gave his assurance that education materials will be printed and distributed on time.

OTDF Executive Manager Andrew Mari highlighted the challenges they are facing in the province.
This include shortage of trained personnel’s and inadequate infrastructures due to limited funding at the district and provincial level.

He said the objective is to ensure quality and affordable education is made accessible to students. Offering a second chance to those who have discontinued formal education.
“Since 2019, FODE has supported about 4000 students, who have pursued tertiary education and find employment, thus contributing to the human resource development of the province.” he said.

Related: https://insidepng.com/online-learning-management-system/

Keep Reading
By
Education

Mrs Marape Visits Former School

By
Rachael Marape

Wife of Prime Minister, Rachael Marape, encouraged students at her former High School, to engage in agricultural activities or start up small businesses.

Mrs. Marape spoke on behalf of her husband, the Prime Minister, at the Aiyura National School of Excellence, in Eastern Highlands.

The National High School graduated 280 students last week.

Mrs. Marape highlighted the availability of SME’s and agriculture. She told students that if they cannot find a space at tertiary institutions and colleges, they should consider returning to their land to run their own small agriculture businesses.

“There are thousands of you coming out of schools every year, but there are not enough jobs at the moment for you all,” she said.

Rachael Marape was a student at Aiyura from 1988 to 1989. She reassured the school principal, Mr Karl Puluma, she would take his requests for the repair and maintenance of school facilities at the graduation, back to the Prime Minister to consider.

From the 280 students who graduated with their Higher School Certificates, included 42 Stem students.

Stem is a new education program recently introduced by Prime Minister Marape. To develop highly skilled young people in the National Schools of Excellence for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/marape-continues-international-travels/

Keep Reading
By
Education

Online Learning Management System

By
Online Learning

A grade ten student at the Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) is amongst fifty students who received certificates for an Online Learning Management Class System.

A pilot project that FODE students from two centers have trialed on digitalized learning of science subjects for three months.

18-year-old Laya Kara from FODE-Central said through learning online, she is able to do problem solving, science equations and other basic grade 10 science units.

“It motivated me to want to continue learn using LMS because I can see things and understand better,” she said. The 18-year-old was interested to take up the class after noting that she needed to improve in science knowledge while scoring good grades in her assignments and exams.

Online Learning

The digitalized training is conducted in partnership with Reelae. A company specialized in digital training.
FODE Principal Anthony Rayappan said it was a good start for students who showed interest and completed the lessons.

“Let’s not think that we are failures anymore. We are same and equal to others in the school system. Be proud in our uniforms while attending the tutorials,” he said.

Rayappan said FODE is fortunate to have a digitalized system for learning. So students can use their devices to do exams, activities and tests.

Meanwhile the Education Department is also liaising with the Department of Higher Education. To consider FODE students grade 10 and 12 in the online selection.

Keep Reading
By
Education

IEA Schools Acknowledged

By
PM Visits IEA Schools

Prime Minister James Marape lauded international schools (IEA Schools), for their remarkable contribution to the education sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Marape said these institutions have diligently served the nation’s citizens for 48 years, since independence, providing quality education that meets global standards.

He was speaking at the 48th Independence Anniversary celebration at Koroboro International School in Port Moresby.

PM Marape acknowledged the significant role international schools played in the country’s development. The event, themed: “Our Country; Many Cultures, Embrace Diversity”, epitomized the unity within PNG’s rich cultural diversity.

“Koroboro International School is an exemplar of the many educational institutions that have set a high bar for delivering quality education based on moral principles and values to our children,” PM Marape said.

The school, a proud member of the International Education Agency (IEA), has made significant strides in servicing the children of PNG.

James Marape in a guard of honor as IEA Schools Celebrate 48th Year Independencce Anniversary Celebrations at Koroboro International School.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape welcomed with a guard of honor by the students of Koroboro International School on their 48th Anniversary Independence Celebrations on their school grounds.

Marape recognized the sacrifices made by parents who invest their resources to facilitate their children’s education at schools like Koroboro International. He hinted at a potential tax relief initiative for parents sending their children to IEA schools, reflecting the government’s commitment to the ‘No Child Left Behind’ policy.

PM Marape also addressed the need for a societal change in how girls and women are treated in the country. He urged male students to respect and protect the dignity of women, emphasizing their role as the bearers of the nation’s future generation.

In his Independence message, PM Marape urged all citizens to foster respect, care, and love for one another, reflecting the government’s commitment to unity and progress.

IEA Schools Celebrate 48th Year Independencce Anniversary Celebrations at Koroboro International School.
Students dressed in traditional attire of the Prime Ministers’ own home province, Hela province.
Keep Reading
By
Education

Supporting Adult Literacy

By
Adult Literacy

A teacher with over 15 years of experience has found herself teaching adult basic literacy skills in her community in Southern Highlands Province.

Margaret Emmanuel from Ialibu had always wanted to be a changemaker in her community.

She said after seeing that adults lack basic literacy skills, she took on the challenge to help her people.

In 2022 Margaret completed a phonics training and a Level 1 Adult Literacy Teacher Training with the support of the Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea (BUPNG) church in Kompiam, Enga province and the Australian Government’s Church Partnership Program.

“People in my church struggled to read the Bible and understand the word of God. Since there were classroom buildings left vacant for many years, I combined the two and saw an opportunity to teach literacy”, said Margaret.

So far Margaret had taught three groups of people, one was combined group of students in Grade 8 to 12.

Margret says her approach encouraged parents to support their children to further by engaging more in their education aspirations.

Left: Margaret Emmanuel (Seated) with class participants
Right: Preparing class materials.

“Most parents don’t know how to read and write thus find it difficult to support their children. For example, they can’t read report cards, so they neglect participating in their children’s learning. [Through these literacy classes], parents and children can work together, and learning can be both ways.”

Margaret’s initiative is suppored by her family and church community.

She hopes to further this adult literacy trainings throughout her District.

“I believe that when I change someone, that person will [go out] and change the community. I want to build that foundation early in the community.” said Margaret.

Keep Reading
By
Education

New FODE Center for Gulf

By
Education

The Gulf Provincial Government has partnered with the Education Department to establish a Flexible and Open Distance Education (FODE) center in Gulf Province.

The new FODE center project will be supervised by the FODE Division of the Education Department and it will be built in Kerema town.

It will consist of libraries, conference rooms and staff houses, and will cater for students from the province who have to travel long distance to Port Moresby to receive their FODE materials and attend classes.

In a small ceremony held at the FODE center in Port Moresby, a total of K1 million cheque was presented by Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta, to the Education Department to build the FODE center.

The Gulf Governor said he is fully supportive of the department’s initiative to ensure FODE students in the country receive the same level of guidance and tuition as students attending mainstream education.

“The level of literacy, the standard of education and the level of infrastructure is not all that great, and FODE is the best alternative for my province,” the governor said.

The Deputy Secretary for Education, Walipe Wingi said the FODE system is the biggest government open learning institution in the country.

Realizing its growth over the years, from College of Distance Education or CODE to Flexible Open Distance Education, or FODE, it is now a division of its own, under the education department.

He said the system has been realigned into the mainstream education system, where students are taught the same units, and sit for the same national examinations.

“It is now for us to convince the people that FODE is no longer the same. The curriculum is realigned to the mainstream education, we are going towards one examination, one certification.

”We are looking for opportunities where provinces must with us.” the deputy secretary said.

The deputy secretary thanked the Gulf provincial government for their support, and assured the people of Gulf that they will ensure this project comes to fruition.

He also confirmed that the department has committed K500, 000 for this project.

“FODE has been very good, to hold onto that money, until the provincial government comes on board. I assure you that we will deliver this project.” Wingi said.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/fode-services-to-use-online-platform/

Keep Reading
By
Education

Journalists complete media training on Tuna

By
Media training on tuna resource complete

ABOUT twenty media practitioners from Port Moresby and East New Britain completed a three-day media training course on the importance of the fisheries sector in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Region.

The aim of the media training is to ensure that journalists are better prepared to report on the  8th Pacific Tuna Forum that will be hosted by Papua New Guinea in the capital city, Port Moresby.

Training participants in discussion.
(From left) Carolyn from the Wantok Niuspaper in discussion with Godwin and Wasita from EMTV.

Part of the learnings included the growth of the National Fisheries Authority over time, their operating procedures and authoritative regulations and fishing. Among the topics of fishing was the most important, shared tuna resource of the Pacific region.

The training fostered interactive discussion between facilitators and journalists about some of the issues impacting the tuna market directly, such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and the impacts of external forces such as climate change and COVID-19.

Discussions about preservation and sustainable management of the resource for the future of the country and the wider Pacific and its people were some of the key indicators of the workshop.

President of the Papua New Guinea Media Council, Neville Choi, who was one of four facilitators of the training, encouraged journalists to do more research on tuna and the industry after the workshop in order to effectively report on the topics.

“Tuna is a global market and it impacts some of the major countries who deal with business and economics in the Pacific and a key to understanding all of that is knowing about the fish. The fish in itself is important and where it’s going to be in the next 50 years is important to our own Pacific livelihoods.”

Another facilitator and long-time Pacific journalist, Lisa Williams-Lahari, who’s been covering and following the Tuna stories globally shared her experiences as a Pacific islander and a journalist covering tuna; a resource that is closer to the heart of the pacific people.

“As a journalist following the tuna story worldwide, PNG has really represented the tuna tigers of this region (Pacific) to the world; in terms of leadership and development; and in terms of following the dollars that our people will benefit from in the terms to come.”

The three-day media training ended with a presentation of certificates to all participants and training facilitators.

The training was initiated and funded by the National Fisheries Authority in preparation for the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum which will be hosted by Papua New Guinea at the Stanley Hotel from the 6th-7th of September in Port Moresby.

Keep Reading
By
Education

FODE SERVICES TO USE ONLINE PLATFORM

By

A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) and the National Education Department, which signifies a partnership to roll out Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) services using online platform.

This MOA comes as a result of a successful trial run by the Education Department on the Web Based School and Learning Management System earlier this year.

From this result the DoE reached out to NICTA through its Universal Access and Services Scheme, which exist to promote long term socio-economic development in PNG.

This MOA has come about extending this Service throughout the country.

The pilot project will be trialed in six locations, targeting 3,700 students at an estimated cost of K600 000, for a period of two years.

Centers to be trialed out include NCD, Central, Daru, Lae, Goroka and Tari Town.

The Project will be jointly funded by the Universal Access Fund which is administered by the UAS Scheme and DoE.

Through this agreement, NICTA will be responsible for content digitalization, broadband connectivity, training and smart devices, while the Education Department will be responsible for Information Technology Audit, Infrastructure, power, skill staff, administration, security and sustainability plan of the project.

With the governments motto of leaving no one behind, the education department through its Fode has been providing second chance to many drop outs, in the form of upgrades and standards Curriculum using Fode.

This project will provide access to students who cannot have access to formal education due to limited space, low grade point Average (GPA) or work commitment.

This also paves way for more efficient, cost effective mechanism in contrast to the traditional method of delivering FODE materials through hard copies of papers in large volumes to all centers in the country.

Read More: https://insidepng.com/ktf-strengthens-partnership-for-2023/

Keep Reading
By
Pin It