Girls participation is education in the country will improve if the gender education policy is implemented well in the curriculum.
This was the recommendation by PNGNRI in their recent research on challenges that hinders girls’ participation in education in PNG.
NRI’s Research Fellow Jeremy Goro said although there are a number of policies and practices in place to support girls’ education, poor implementation of the policies is a hindrance.
“The government, through the Department of Education, should intervene by implementing the Education Sector Strategy Plan 2010-2030 in an effective manner to remove all barriers to girls’ education and reviewing selection from primary to secondary school or by setting a quota system for females and males to access education,” Mr Goro said.
“Teacher training programs and practices need to shift to gender-friendly pedagogy, including the implementation of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in teachers training curriculum.”
He added that funding should be increased to establish gender units in schools to improve retention of girls.
“Nonetheless, more research and awareness on the rights of girls to access education is required.”