Chimbu joins OBE debate

CHIMBU teachers have backed their Western Highlands counterparts to push for a public debate on the successes and failures of the outcome-based education (OBE) system.
They decided to support the cause as it was time to take a stand and speak for their rights and that of the students.
President of Chimbu Teachers Association Joe Gigmai said Chimbu teachers would follow  Mt Hagen teachers and bid for rally on the issue too.
He said teachers needed to be compensated for the load of work they do and education authorities needed to come down to their level and discuss the issue publicly.
They are the second to show their interest for the cause after Southern Highlands.
Western Highlands teachers, through the Teachers’ rights movement, had hosted a public forum in Mt Hagen last month petitioning education authorities, including the minister, James Marape, demanding a public debate.
They gave a 20-day ultimatum to authorities to respond but nothing has happened so far.
The teachers planned to go on strike over a week ago week but since authorities had not responded, they had decided for another public meeting in town onSaturday .
Teachers from elementary, primary, high, secondary and technical schools had all supported a public debate.
Problems highlighted as having caused by OBE were class size, where teachers taught more than 30 students in a class, lack of teaching material, failure in the education delivery system, teachers’ work conditions and the purpose of the teachers’ union.