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By ALISON ANIS
THE technical, vocational education and training (TVET) has a “huge”
potential to contribute to improving social and economic development of
Papua New Guinea if treated as a priority.
Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane stressed this when he officially
launched the national education week in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said for the country to integrate in the global economy, “we need to
improve our level of skills and productivity and that is where TVET
comes in to train our people for formal and informal sector.
“Technical and vocational training helps the majority of our people in
the districts and communities to make a living for themselves, and to
become self-reliant and productive,” Sir Paulias said.
He stressed that this type of training had been available in PNG for a
long time.
However, support from the Government over the years has been declining.
“There has been so much talk about TVET in recent years by the
Government and the Department of Education, but there has been minimum
financial and political support.
He said this type of neglect had led to the deterioration of many
institutions, leading to their closure.
Sir Paulias appealed to the Government to make a difference for the
people by allocating more resources to TVET institutions so they could
provide quality and relevant skills for the young people.
Speaking on the reforms of TVET, Sir Paulias stressed the need to ensure
that the training programmes prepare children and young people to go
back to their villages and make a living.
“The majority of our people live in the rural areas … therefore, the
concept of TVET must fit the type of society which is largely
village-based, with small sector and a growing need for informal urban
economy.”
The national education week falls every Oct 1 of each year marked by a
week of celebrations and activities to promote education’s theme for the
year.
“Technical, vocational education and training - skills development for
nation-building” was picked as the theme for 2007.
 
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