The Department of Education (NDoE) has launched an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system, marking a significant step away from cheque-based payments and toward faster, more transparent financial processes.

The launch was held at the Ministry of Education office at Vulupindi Haus in Port Moresby. It was attended by representatives from the Department of Finance (DoF), NDoE Finance Division staff, and senior management.

Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra acknowledged the department’s partnership with the DoF, particularly its support for the Government’s priority of delivering the National Free Education Policy. He thanked the DoF and its staff for working closely with the NDoE Finance Division and providing training to help staff use the new system.

“The Department of Education is transitioning from manual cheque-based payments to an electronic Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). This modernisation, effective as of October 1, aims to streamline the delivery of education services and government payroll,” Dr. Kombra said

The NDoE was an early adopter of IFMS, beginning around 2014–2015, and has continued to prioritise digital systems over manual processes. The EFT rollout replaces the printing and processing of physical cheques.

While staff adjust to the change, the department has already recorded successful electronic transfers, including transactions completed the previous Friday.

DoF Deputy Secretary for the Support Division, Tom Tiki, said the department was fully prepared and had begun implementing the new payment processes following staff training. He reported that the initial transactions had proceeded without errors.

Mr. Tiki said the system aligns with national requirements and financial standards. He described the change as a major shift in public sector financial management and said it would help strengthen financial controls and accountability.

NDoE First Assistant Secretary for Finance, Nigl Zerike, welcomed the system and reaffirmed the department’s support for its implementation. She said EFT would enable faster, more efficient payment processing for the department’s high volume of daily transactions, many of which were previously handled by cheque.

Ms. Zerike added that moving to electronic payments would improve transparency, accountability, and public financial management.

The launch marks a major change in how the Department of Education processes payments, with electronic transfers replacing printed cheques as the new system is implemented.