O’Neill: OBE system a failure

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday 05th December 2011

THE government has tagged the outcome-based education system as a failure.
Addressing Grades 10 and 12 students at the Pangia Aisoli Memorial Secondary School last Friday, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the education department had been tasked to come up with a new curriculum.
“First measures are already in place, beginning with the establishment of a special task force by the education department to carry out this curriculum reform.”
School principal Alex Nakanol had called on the government to do away with the OBE system.
O’Neill said the government was investing in education and this would be reflected in the 2012 budget allocation of more than K2 billion to education.
“We will ensure that the free education policy gets off the ground next year despite criticisms,’’ he said.
“We will start with a free education policy for elementary up to Grade 10 and will incorporate Grades 11 and 12 in 2014.
“We strongly believe this is the way forward to building a well-educated population to meet the current professional skilled work force demand in the country.”
O’Neill thanked parents, teachers, students and the Pangia community for their assistance in making this year a successful one for the school.
He also acknowledged the pioneer Grade 12 graduating students.
He donated 35 new computers to the school and made a further commitment of K1 million from the rehabilitation of education service infrastructure programme funds.
He said the money would go towards meeting the school’s infrastructure development needs.
He also opened a new classroom at the Kiripia Primary School in the Tambul-Nebilyer electorate of Western Highlands province.