MINISTER for Education, Hon. Lucas Dekena says education is a challenge in this country, and requires collaborative effort.
This message was relayed by the First Secretary to the Education Minister, Kakaito Kasi in Kerema, Gulf Province last week, during a new Classroom Building Opening.
Hon. Dekena who was away to attend education related issue in his district in Gumine, Chimbu Province, sent his team to attend the event on his behalf last Friday.
Mr Kasi quoted minister, stating that the government, under the leadership of Marape-Rosso is committed in ensuring ‘No Child Is Left Behind’, and that every child receives minimum grade 12 qualification throughout the country.
“To ensure this is achieved, government is providing 100 per cent free education, no schools should be charging any form of fees.
“I want to remind parents and guardians that the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) has been renamed to Government Free Education Policy GFEP, because the Marape- Rosso government is no longer subsiding school fee, but paying in full.
“As minister directly responsible for education in the country, I have also directed the Education Department to change the education system to stop producing Drop-Outs.
“This change in the system will see that Examinations for grade Eight and Ten students will not be used as a measure of failing our students to become drop outs.
“However, Examinations will continue to measure a student level of intelligence and at the same time maintaining quality in the assessment of student- teacher learning and teaching abilities.
“Every child that enrolls in Early Childhood Education will continue to grade 12.
“For Quality purpose, the government also provides incentives in the form of introducing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country, to send top students to top universities and institutions overseas.
“The department is also looking at other incentives, to improve quality in the education system, apart from basic term test, assignments and other learning activities.
“As members of parliament, it is our shared responsibility to provide education infrastructures in our respective district.
“On that note, I would like to acknowledge Member for Kerema Open and Minister for Energy Thomas Opa in setting education as his number one priority.
“I commend Hon. Opa, for opening more than ten classroom buildings in just about two years, and now with the opening of the six in one double classroom in Ilakareta Primary school,” Kasi quoted Minister.
