Train teachers to teach high school subjects

THE current research conducted on the new education system in PNG by the National Research Institute is sensitive.
The education curriculum and structural reforms in the last few decades have affected education standards in our country, especially in the rural areas.
The changes or reforms evolved identically.
High school subjects were pushed down to primary levels with untrained subject teachers to teach them.
Students proceed to high schools after being taught and assessed by unqualified subject teachers.
Teachers in primary schools find it difficult to teach these high school subjects.
The abolished outcome-based education (OBE) curriculum was broad where lessons were unplanned or programmed compared to the standard based education.
Many teachers were untrained or in-serviced on education reforms over many years.
The OBE curriculum was said to be failed curriculum.
However, is the problem with the OBE curriculum or the untrained subject teachers told to teach high school subjects in primary schools?
The National Research Institute has identified accommodation, dining, classrooms and other important facilities as challenges.
But for the new education curriculum to be successful, education standards should be improved and this will only be achieved with qualified or specialist subject teachers.
Therefore, the new education structure (1-6-6) will not affect the education standards.
Otherwise, all teachers in primary schools should have separate degree programmes in specific subjects under the current 3-6-4 structure.

Benjamin Rupa,
Kero High School