Western Highlands Governor Hon. Wai Rapa has raised concerns in Parliament over the rollout of the 166-education reform, with his province among five pilots implementing the changes to national examinations.
He reminded Parliament that the government had publicly announced the phasing out of Grade 8 and Grade 10 national exams under the reform.
“Given Western Highlands is one of the pilot provinces where Grade 8 and Grade 10 examinations have already been phased out, there remains uncertainty as we are now well into the 2026 academic year,” Rapa said.
The Governor stressed that students, parents, and teachers are still unclear on whether Grade 10 and Grade 12 students will sit for national examinations this year. He called on the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Hon. Kinoka Hotune Feo, to confirm whether exams would proceed in the five pilot provinces, including Western Highlands. He also requested clarification on any directives issued by provincial education authorities.
In response, Minister Feo admitted he could not provide an immediate answer.
“I can’t give you the answer off the top of my head. I’ll get back to you tomorrow,” he said.