By GEORGINA MICHAEL
PAPUA New Guinea, Australia and UNICEF have launched the Smarter Safer Schools program (3S) valued at $33 million at the Lobuna Kouba Primary School in Koiari, Central Province.
The four-year program, funded by the Australian government, will be implemented by UNIICEF in partnership with the PNG Government.
It was launched to support the 1-6-6 reform in 600 schools across six subnational locations in PNG.
The event was officiated by Hiri Koiari MP Keith Iduhu, Central Province Governor Rufina Peter, representatives from the Australian High Commission, UNICEF, Department of Higher Education and other partners.
The program aims to benefit up to 600 schools in PNG by strengthening school leadership, improving teacher capacity, expanding access to digital learning, integrating climate resilience and child protection into school, planning and reinforcing inspection and data systems to improve accountability and performance across the education sector.
Governor Peter expressed her gratitude for Central Province to be the first beneficiary of the Smarter Safer Schools program and said to take the implementation of the program very seriously.
“Education is not only a social service, for us, it is a national development agenda, when our children learn, our province grows stronger, when or young people get skilled our economy becomes more productive, when we invest in education we invest in social economic stability, resilience and long term prosperity,” she said.
UNICEF PNG official VIkas Singh emphasized that the program represented their shared document in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s education system.
“UNICEF will work closely with the Department of Education and other implementing partners to ensure that the programs are properly implemented in schools. However, no program is achieved without sustained national commitment. Reforms require continuous public response and strong leadership at the national and provincial government level,” Mr Singh said
Acting Minister Counsellor from the Australian High Commission Laura Marson added: “Education is more than a pathway to gain knowledge. It’s a foundation of a nation. Papua New Guinea is a culturally diverse country with potential. Hence, education is the single most powerful tool in shaping this country’s future.”
The 3S program is a new addition to Australia’s longstanding partnership with PNG in education through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Lobuna Kouba Primary head teacher Joseph Buka highlighted the challenges faced by the school with the introduction of the 1-6-6 program, and thanked the Australian Government and the implementation partners for choosing his school to implement the 3S program.