Marape spells out achievements under Pangu Pati

PRIME Minister James Marape says education has made significant advances since 2019 under the Pangu Pati-led administration.
He said the most outstanding were the inclusion of the Higher Education Loan Programme (Help), Flexible Open Distance Education (Fode), Second Chance Education, and the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) initiatives.
“The Help initiative has seen more than 35,000 students benefitting, with an investment surpassing K177 million as of Dec 31, 2023.
“Fode centres experienced a significant increase in student retention rates since 2020, thanks to free registration and alignment with the national examination system,” Marape said.
He was responding to recent claims by Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa that the Government’s contribution to education was insufficient.
“Under the guidance of (late) Education Minister Jimmy Uguro, and Higher Education Minister Don Polye, education in Papua New Guinea has soared to unprecedented heights.
“The Government is also pushing for the incorporation of Second Chance Education across secondary schools nationwide, aiming to bolster literacy, numeracy, and business skills to support local SMEs.
“A dedicated fund for SME loans is already established and available.
“The Stem programme, aimed at developing future leaders in both bureaucratic and corporate spheres, has successfully placed the first 43 students in reputable American universities, with more expected to join this year.”
Marape said the Government had issued specific instructions to all technical vocational education training (Tvet) institutions and universities to introduce the business curriculum as part of their courses.
“This initiative ensures our graduates are not just seeking employment but are also equipped to establish their own businesses.
“Through these comprehensive educational reforms and initiatives, the Pangu-led Government is laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and economically-resilient Papua New Guinea.
“My vision for the nation is clear: to harness the potential of every Papua New Guinean through better education, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the economy and the country at large,” he said.