The Western Provincial Education Division has advised that they have yet to receive their 2nd quarter GTFS although the Government has advised that the funds have already been handed over to the Education Department.
Principle Advisor of Education for Western Province, Charlie Guya said that they were advised that the funds were in the hands of the Education department but they have yet to be disbursed throughout the country.
“As far as I know, the last update on Friday after calling the department, they are saying the funds are already with the Department, but we have not received that in our schools.”
Guya stated that this has become a concern for the Division, with lack of funds leading to the schools on the verge of suspending operation, midway through the year with the current status of schools running out of money.
Meanwhile, whilst the country has welcomed the school structure reform to the 1-6-6 structure, Guya said that as they welcome the reform with open arms, they have also opened their arms to a truckload of challenges along with it.
“1-6-6 is a big challenge. We’ve tried to implement the decisions and policies come with challenges and when you don’t have back up plans, you will certainly run into challenges.”
Nevertheless, they have implemented these changes, and many schools have now rebranded with additional teachers that have been sent to the PNG Education Institute to undergo training.