Education Department urged to Improve Teacher Appointment Process

Courtesy of NRI Media Unit A new NRI study released today shows that teacher appointments to rural and urban primary and community schools throughout the country are being conducted outside legal and policy guidelines.

Lead Author Dr Arnold Kukari said that there was a lack of compliance of the Teaching Service Commission and Education Acts and related policies in the appointment of teachers.

“This is a common practice amongst Provincial Education Boards and, to some extent, the Teaching Service Commission,” he said.

This has attracted a host of problems which include delays in teacher appointments, late resumption of duties, and corruption and lack of transparency in the process.

The study examined teacher’s lived experiences in provinces with both poor and good reputations in managing teacher appointment across the country and unveiled how the teacher appointment processes and practices affected teachers’ performances and the delivery of education services.

One of the major problems highlighted in the study was the failure of Teaching Service Commission to print and deliver the Special Education Gazette to the provinces in a timely manner.

Dr Kukari said: “The gazette has to be printed and sent to each province in June each year and provinces are expected to administer and complete their teacher appointments by October or November.”

However, the gazette has continued to arrive late in provinces, thus significantly delaying the entire teacher appointment and resumption of duty processes.

Dr Kukari said that the recommendations from the study would help to address some of the issues raised and contribute to improving and strengthening the teacher appointment process and practice, ensuring there is transparency and accountability in teacher appointments.

PNG Gas Can Sustain Economy: Duma

Petroleum and Energy minister Mr William Duma believes the oil and gas industry in Papua New Guinea can continue to play an important role in sustaining the country’s economy well into the foreseeable future.

Petroleum & Energy Minister, William Duma

In his address to the twelfth Papua New Guinea Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference in Sydney, Australia, Mr Duma told delegates that “the petroleum sector has been the main backbone of our economy."

“It has indeed made a substantial contribution to our economy but it has much more to contribute in the future considering the gas developments taking place in the country and certainly the prospects that lie ahead”, Mr Duma said.

This is despite the country having declining crude oil reserves and “no new positive or economically viable oil discoveries” anticipated.

Mr Duma expressed concern that the country’s economy could be adversely affected without new developments in the oil and gas sectors, stating the need for “stronger and broader economic development” in tandem with existing energy projects.

“The gas industry has the capacity to make a real difference replacing oil revenues and in shaping our country”, Mr Duma said.

He added that the challenge for the O’Neill government would be to “raise the standard of living” for the people of PNG “and to enhance their participation in economic development.”

The three-day annual Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference is being attended by a record 1350 delegates from all sectors of the oil and gas industry and will end on Wednesday.

Kairuku-Hiri to have By-Election

Courtesy of PNGFM News

Ousted Kairuku-Hiri MP, Paru Aihi

The election of Member for Kairuku Hiri Paru Aihi has been declared null and void by the Court of Disputed Returns.

Justice David Cannings made this ruling in the Court of Disputed Returns this morning following a successful petition by Kairuku Hiri Open Runner-Up Peter Isoaimo.

The grounds for a by-election include bribery and undue influence, predominantly within Veifa'a in the Kairuku District.

This means a by-election will now take place for the Kairuku Hiri Seat, at at time to be determined by the Electoral Commission.