Both sides of schools of excellence

WHILE some academics and administration staff at the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe, say the government’s idea of Schools of Excellence, which is to begin next year, is good, others say there are better options available and the plan was rushed and not workable in the current time-frame of six months. 
The National Executive Council in Wabag last year endorsed the educational changes with a view to enhancing the education sector.
Under the Schools of Excellence plan, the top 1% of students in high schools this year will go onto the seven elected schools next year to do their Grade 11.
After completion of Grade 12, the top 1% would again be guaranteed government scholarships to study at overseas universities and educational institutions. Upon their return, they would be required to work for five years with the government before they are able to pursue their own interests.
The National sought views from academics at the university’s Taraka campus and, although some agreed that it was a good idea because it would greatly benefit PNG and realises the national goal of integral human development, others felt it would deprive other students of the right to good education and creating an elitist section of society.
Language and communication lecturer Justin Kehatsin agrees that PNG needs specialist professionals, but the way forward is to send the top graduates of PNG educational institutions to undertake post-graduate studies to make them more competitive and marketable globally and promote PNG elites overseas.
He says the country needs to have a pool of very bright people who might take on top management and administrative responsibilities that the country will require in future, therefore, excellence needs to be encouraged and rewarded.
Robert Leso from the department of business studies says the exposure to overseas schooling and experiences will bring new dreams, visions and perspectives for PNG and cites Japan as an example where its manpower is sent overseas for training and, upon returning, helped turn their country into a global technology leader. 
He says as well as identifying top students in PNG, the plan will encourage competition among students, thus lifting the standard of education and increasing innovative and brilliant ideas among students.
Some academics agree that the school curriculum in other countries is of a high standard and will make our students strive to be the best they can, saying many who have gone overseas to study are now back and contributing in different ways to the country. 
Other academics, on the other hand, say the money that is going to be used for this exercise should be spent to upgrade tertiary institutions so that more Grade 12 school leavers can enter these institutions.
Business studies lecturer Simon Sengi says the government is undermining national institutions as students, who go to study and train overseas, do not necessarily come back and perform better.
He says the capacities of our universities must also be improved and expanded and fully established post-graduate schools be also introduced instead of the expensive exercise of Schools of Excellence.
Head of mechanical engineering Prof John Pumwa says there is a great need to improve science and mathematics in high schools because high school students entering universities have a hard time grasping these subjects.
Administration staff Esther Mahibi questions where the teachers for the Schools of Excellence will come from and what curriculum they will be teaching.
Many say the Schools of Excellence idea will deny the rights of other Papua New Guineans and create a class society. It is discriminatory and, in the sense, so much money will be spent on a few while the bulk of the population lacks school fees, teachers, teaching material, etc.
Seven schools selected for this pilot programme are Passam, Aiyura, Sogeri, Kerevat, Wawin and Port Moresby national high schools, and Kabiufa Secondary.