New teachers waiting for papers

PRIMARY Teachers College (PTC) graduates are waiting for their diplomas and teacher provisional registration certificates from the Teaching Services Commission (TSC) and the Education Department.
They need these papers in
order for them to apply for
teaching positions to fulfil
their obligations as teachers in primary schools throughout the country.
Substantive motives considered in the deferment of such papers are not explained well to parents and stakeholders.
Non-school leavers that apply to the college must have a 2.4 grade point average (GPA) and sit for entry tests.
Selection is done through
evaluation based on marks and records.
It isn’t just done any old
how.
There have been some instances where some applicants used upgraded grade 12 certificates through the Flexible Open Distance Education and other institutions and matriculation centres either linked with University of Technology or University of Papua New Guinea.
However, some of these upgraded marks were not reported correctly and we now realise what needs to be done to watch out for such errors.
Proper evaluation and selection has started and good results
have been produced at the
PTC level in its various programmes.
PTC graduates are certified by the Education Department after students complete six semesters before graduating.
Very low achievers in semester results are advised to withdraw from studies on academic grounds and they can return in the new academic year.
Over the six semesters in
the three-year diploma in
primary teaching, a student
is trained both theoretically and practically to teach in primary schools.
The diploma and provisional registration certificate issued to students at graduation, along with their academic transcript, officially mark the end of teacher training.
All graduates express their interest to secure teaching positions to teach in a province based on their preferences.
Acceptance on the positions
applied and further verification
of documents is an on going process and is coordinated
by the provincial education authorities, salaries sections
and school inspectors using
the standards established by
TSC and Education
Department’s teacher education division.
The process is very clear but this is not feasible now and it is frustrating to note that diplomas are still in Port Moresby leaving these teacher graduates without a job and sitting idle with all the years of training.
If their documents do not meet the requirements or standards of a particular provincial education office, they (teacher graduates) should be advised as to what they can do to improve/upgrade their grades while still employed as a teacher.
They should also be monitored by school inspectors.
PTC graduates have followed the process and should have two important documents with them upon graduating – diploma in teaching primary and the provisional teacher registration certificate.

Concerned parent & educator
Lae