THE Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Education met with acting Secretary for Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) Fr. Jan Czuba and representatives from the Department of Education last week to discuss the status of the Education system in the country.
Acting Secretary Fr. Czuba presented a report to the Committee about an independent inquiry into the Higher Education Sector particularly the University of Goroka (UOG) and highlighted key issues that needed to be addressed such as corruption and a lack of quality standards in the education system.
Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Teaching Service Commission and the Office of the Librarian/Archives also gave a brief overview each, of the current challenges the education system in the country is facing.
No proper early childhood education, lack of funding, services not reaching the rural and remote areas, unqualified teachers, inadequate teaching staff to cater for the growing population, more schools built with less teaching staff, language barriers such as students cannot speak and understand English and administration issues were amongst the key issues discussed during the meeting.
Committee Chairman Hon. Benjamin Mul, MP stressed that a good education system is important in achieving the country’s 2050 Vision; therefore the Committee was looking forward to working with the DHERST to improve it and address issues that are affecting it.
There are plans to conduct site visits and inspections to Teachers Colleges, National High Schools of Excellency, FODE Centres and other institutions including Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Schools in provinces around the country.