More elementary teachers across Papua New Guinea (PNG) will get the chance to upgrade their qualifications in 2026 as the Department of Education rolls out a new nationwide training plan.
Department of Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra said the program will help early grade teachers move up to a Diploma in Primary Teaching (In-Service), which is now required under the new 1–6–6 education system.
“This process has already started,” Dr. Kombra said. “PNG Education Institute, Divine Word University, Innovative University of Enga, and Balimo Teachers College are already offering the two-year conversion program.”
The plan aims to train 8,576 elementary teachers between 2026 and 2029. This is a big step up, compared to the 1,430 teachers—only 7 per cent of the total—who completed similar training between 2019 and 2025.
Right now, Papua New Guinea has 21,602 elementary teachers working across the country.
Training numbers will increase each year, with 2,082 teachers expected to join in 2026, 3,613 in 2027, 2,890 in 2028, and 2,371 in 2029.
The diploma program was developed by the Department of Education and launched in 2024. It is being delivered in partnership with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), and several teacher training institutions.
Dr. Kombra said the two-year course includes eight units and a total of 120 credit points. To qualify, teachers must be employed under the TSC, have at least five years of teaching experience, hold a Certificate in Elementary Teaching, have a valid Teacher Registration Certificate, and have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification through FODE.
The training program supports the National Education Plan 2020–2029, which changes the school system from 3–6–4 to 1–6–6. Under this system, Preparatory, Grade 1, and Grade 2 will be taught by trained early grade teachers.
Dr. Kombra also thanked the development partners supporting the program. Funding is being provided by DFAT through the Program for Improving Education, the World Bank through the Learning Enhancement and Access Project, and the Global Partnership for Education through UNICEF, covering all provinces.
“This training is important for the future of our children,” Dr. Kombra said. “By 2030 and beyond, we want all elementary teachers to have the right qualifications to teach in primary schools.”
