Papua New Guinea

The lack of qualified, local teachers has limited the expansion of Papua New Guinea's education system. While enrollments in teacher training programs continue to increase, the number of new teachers produced does not meet the number needed to increase student enrollment at the primary and secondary levels. The attrition rate for teachers in 1991 was about 9 percent.

Primary teachers train in community-based teachers' colleges. Students enter after tenth grade and enroll in a three-year training course. In 1991, some 1,419 students were enrolled in one of Papua New Guinea's eight community teachers' colleges. Church organizations operate seven of the colleges, and the government operates one.

Training for secondary education teachers occurs at the Goroka Teachers' College and on the University of Papua New Guinea's Waigani campus. The Goroka Teachers' College is the primary source for provincial high school teachers. Students enroll after tenth or twelfth grade. They complete a three-year training program of general subject knowledge integrated with lessons on teaching skills. The Teachers' College also requires all students to study at least one core discipline (English, social studies, science, or math.) However, many students are uncomfortable with the requirement and ultimately drop out of the program. Graduates earn a diploma in secondary school teaching. The Goroka Teachers' College also offers several university extension programs and in-service training for teachers.

The education program at Waigani prepares teachers for the provincial high schools through a four-year program. During the first three years students study the arts and sciences, working toward a specialization in two subjects. Students spend their fourth year learning educational techniques and reviewing the provincial high school curriculum, teaching methods, and teaching practice. The Teachers' College at Goroka tends to produce teachers with better teaching skills, while the program at Waigani produces teachers with stronger subject knowledge.

The University of Papua New Guinea's Waigani campus also prepares teachers for the national high schools through a one-year postgraduate diploma program. The prospective teachers specialize in one or two subjects of the National High School curriculum and learn about teaching methods. Pre-service teachers at this level also practice their teaching at a national high school.

Prospective secondary high school teachers can also pursue a bachelor of education to meet their training requirements. At the University of Papua New Guinea, a bachelor of education takes four years to complete. Graduates of the program also lecture at teachers' colleges and can serve as school administrators at the national and provincial levels.

The University of Papua New Guinea also offers a bachelor of education in-service and a two-year bachelor's program for experienced teachers who wish to upgrade their skills and subject knowledge. Students also can pursue postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees in education at the university.

Technical and vocational education teachers need a combination of schooling and experience in their field. Teachers for the Pre-Employment Training courses must complete tenth grade and have five years of industrial or commercial experience before enrolling in a one-year teacher training program. Teachers for the technical colleges train at Goroka Teachers' College. Teachers of courses for the Certificate of Higher Technical Education have university degrees or a Certificate of Higher Technical Education and three years of field experience. Teachers at the secondary vocational centers generally are tradesmen with four years of trade experience. They also must complete a one-year pre-service course at the Port Moresby In-Service College. Vocational teachers also come from the secondary teacher education program at Goroka Teachers' College. But, according to the National Department of Education, about half of all vocational instructors are unqualified.

Since the 1970s, the National Department of Education has provided in-service training to teachers at the school level and through National In-Service Training Week. National In-Service Training Week is a compulsory event held at the end of the first school term. Activities address administrative and organizational procedures and professional and curriculum development. Practicing teachers can also pursue education degrees through the University of Papua New Guinea's Extension Department. Secondary teachers who have assumed library responsibilities can pursue an advanced diploma in education studies/teacher librarianship through a two-year part-time summer program offered by the University of Papua New Guinea.

The Papua New Guinea Teachers' Association is the largest "white-collar" union in the country. The association represents about 80 percent of the teachers employed by the Teaching Service Commission. The organization promotes professionalism among its members and assists with educational development in Papua New Guinea. By legislation, the association has representation and voting rights on all national, provincial, and school-level education boards.