The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Education recently held an audience with the Acting Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), Fr Jan Czuba and representatives from the Department of Education (DoE) to evaluate the current status of the Education system in the Country.
According to the report that was presented by the Acting Secretary pertaining to an independent inquiry into the Higher Education Sector, focusing on the University of Goroka, highlighted key issues that needed immediate attention, such as corruption and a lack of quality standards in the Education System.
Apart from this, other representatives including those from the Ministry of Education, the Teaching service Commission and the office of the Librarian, gave a brief evaluation on each sector and its challenges in this day and era.
During this audience, it was also identified the country lacks proper early childhood education, funding, services in rural and remote areas, unqualified teachers and inadequate teaching staff to cater for an expanding population, language barriers, empty schools without teachers and administrative issues.
Committee Chair & Member for North Whagi, Benjamin Mul stressed that a good education system is important in achieving the country’s 2050 Vision; therefore, the Committee was looking forward to working with the DHERST to improve it and address issues that are affecting it.
Meanwhile, there are plans to conduct site visits and inspections to Teachers Colleges, National High Schools of Excellency, FODE Centres and other institutions including Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Schools in provinces around the country.