Seven dedicated members of the Teaching Service Commission have been honored with the 50th Independence Anniversary King’s Medal this week.
Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae presented them with their medals during a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday this week.
The special medals were approved by King Charles III to mark Papua New Guinea’s Golden Jubilee in September 2025.
The awards are in recognition of citizens who have provided loyal and dedicated services to the country.
The TSC recipients of the awards were Paul Lapun, Esban Rita Karo, Joseph Birana, Totobe Samilo, Jean Taviri, Ursula Miria, and Joseph Nigona.
Sharing her gratitude, TSC Principal Advisor Industrial Mrs Karo emphasized the importance of professional community and family support.
“Personally, I take this opportunity to thank all the officers who have mentored me to be a better Public Servant and colleagues who have contributed to building my career to reach the pinnacle that resulted in today’s ceremony, for which I am honored. I also extend my gratitude to my family for their support in building my career to what it is today.”
Mr Lapun, TSC Director of Provincial Matters, also reflected on the commission’s evolution, noting that while early systems were manual and unorganized, the TSC has successfully transitioned toward greater accountability.
He highlighted how provincial offices have been transformed from simple administrative points into vital hubs for teacher deployment and welfare.
“Looking toward the future, the TSC envisions a “future-ready” system where all teacher management is digitized and interconnected nationwide, allowing for predictive deployment guided by real-time data. This vision includes transforming provincial offices into professional service hubs that ensure rural provinces receive the same quality of service as urban centers. By institutionalizing leadership pipelines and enabling real-time policy monitoring, the Commission aims to remain resilient and focused on improving teacher welfare.”
“This recognition is a testament to the fact that Hard Work and Dedication always pay off,” the Commission stated. “Thank you to our seven recipients for your unwavering service to our teachers and our country,” Mr Lapun said.