Body to review WP education

 A COMMITTEE has been set to review the education system and find collaborative, long term solutions to improve the poor state of education in Western.

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation Ltd (OTDF) has joined forces with the Western provincial department of education, and other development partners to form the Western Province Education Steering Committee (WPESC).

The committee comprises the provincial administrator and the provincial education adviser, the three district education superintendents, the provincial planner, PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd (PNGSDP), OTDF and the Evangelical Church of PNG.

On the committee is a representative from the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) region representing the 156 villages benefiting from the Ok Tedi mine.  This first formal appointment of a community leader at this level is a welcome decision by the administration and former teacher and Middle Fly leader Richard Zumoi is the inaugural CMCA representative.

The committee held its first meeting last month in Kiunga where issues such as the shortage of teachers, the appalling state of school infrastructure and the lack of teaching resources and capacity were discussed. 

OTDF chief executive officer Ian Middleton, who sits on the committee on behalf of both OTDF and Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML), said it was important that both companies work in partnership with the provincial government and its administration and all other partners with an interest in education to address the many issues affecting this important sector in the province.

“Generally speaking, the primary education standards in Western are very poor, resulting in very high illiteracy rates, non-attendance in schools and limited resources, this committee now brings a united front and real hope for the future needs of our children.  This committee has the capacity and now opportunity to ensure school standards are elevated by ensuring that whatever available resources we have are well planned and used wisely to improve this sector,” Middleton said.

Provincial education adviser and committee chairman Netsey Baerey thanked OTDF for helping establish the committee and said the province had longed for such an institution to help improve the standard of education. 

“The committee will work in accordance with the Provincial Education Sector Plan 2006 to 2016 and the Government’s Vision 2050 so that whatever changes we make, it will be sustainable and for the long term benefit of our children,” he added.

A submission will be made to the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) to formally accept the WPESC and to fund the committee for the next five years, including a secretariat position from 2014.

The WPESC approved a review of the education standards and resources throughout the province in accordance with the national, provincial and district education plans.  

The review will include consultation with all key stakeholders, including the three district superintendents and relevant development organisations. 

The committee will report directly to the provincial education board and will look at issues affecting the primary, secondary and vocational education institutions.