PM’s comment supported

I SUPPORT Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s comments last week on why the education standard in the country is so poor.
He said one of the reasons for low standards was that Goroka Teachers’ College – which was established to train high school teachers – had been converted to a university that taught specialist courses.
I believe limited content knowledge of specialisation, especially for science students in grade 12, is the root of failure.
I am a newly-graduated teacher in science (biology).
I have a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of PNG in 2015 and a post-graduate diploma in science education from the University of Goroka in 2017.
With the desire to teach, I submitted an expression-of-interest letter and CV to the NCD education office in Feb 2017.
I was told by the appointment clerk to check in two weeks’ time.
When I followed up after two weeks, I realised that my name was not on the new graduates’ list.
I was then asked to submit a second copy, so I did.
After going to-and-fro, with Nov 2017 in front of me, the appointment officer asked the clerk where my documents were.
My papers were found covered in dust in the next room in the office of the data entry clerk.
The appointment officer updated my information which his clerk failed all throughout last year.
Several teachers heard of my plight and suggested I hand out envelopes with cash so I would be recruited.
I now realised that the first officer I dealt with was expecting something from me.
Because I did not give him anything, my documents were locked up and were not submitted to the provincial education board (PEB) for appointment and posting.
I was also told that because they failed to submit my name to PEB list, I would be considered for consequential meeting in late Nov 2017.
This also failed.
When I went back to check in Jan 2018, I was told to wait until they sorted the serving teachers first.
I am still searching for a teaching vacancy in science/biology.
I have met all the requirements to teach in a secondary school which the country needs, as the prime minister has mentioned.
I am calling on Education Minister Nick Kuman and Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra to take a stand on issues affecting new graduates.
There are many of us who graduated with specialist subjects from universities and are still waiting to be employed in secondary schools.
The authorities must ensure all principals have a bachelor’s or masters equivalent to run the administration, students and staff as well as others.

New Graduate Teacher
NCD