PAPUA New Guinea and Australia have launched a new partnership aimed at strengthening secondary education, with the Australian Government officially commencing the Papua New Guinea Secondary Education Program (PNG SEP).
The three-year initiative will focus on improving teaching and learning, strengthening school leadership, creating safer and more inclusive learning environments, and deepening education partnerships between the two countries.
The program was officially launched with teachers, principals, school board representatives, officials from the National Department of Education, the Australian High Commission, universities and education partners gathering to establish a shared vision and guide the program’s implementation.
Deputy Principal of Kerevat National School of Excellence, Pauline Suvi, said the initiative would provide practical support to schools to improve classroom learning.
“PNG SEP brings educators and partners together to improve classroom practice, strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching and deliver better learning resources for students,” she said.
“This support will help schools provide quality lessons and improve learning outcomes for young Papua New Guineans.”
Consultations conducted at participating schools found that while each school faces different opportunities and challenges, they share common priorities, including improving classroom practice, expanding access to quality teaching resources, strengthening instructional leadership, enhancing student wellbeing, and creating safer, more inclusive schools.
Chairman of the Governing Council at Sogeri National School of Excellence, Gogobe Rueben Mairi, said the program would strengthen school leadership while improving learning environments.
“Australia has been a longstanding partner in supporting education in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“PNG SEP will help school leaders, teacherQs and students work together to strengthen school improvement, address practical infrastructure needs and create better conditions for learning.”
Implementation of the program has already begun, with the distribution of English textbooks and school-based professional learning underway across participating schools.
Additional initiatives—including digital learning programs, an enhanced postgraduate teacher upgrading pathway, targeted school infrastructure improvements, and expanded partnerships between Papua New Guinean and Australian institutions—will be introduced over the coming months.
STEM teacher at Kopen National School of Excellence, Melveth Peakari, said the partnership would help build long-term capacity within schools.
“As a new National School of Excellence, Kopen needs strong partnerships to build our foundations, attract and support teachers and students, improve infrastructure and upskill our teachers,” he said.
Over the next three years, the PNG Secondary Education Program will invest in stronger schools, stronger leadership and stronger partnerships to improve educational outcomes for students across Papua New Guinea.