TSC must recognise DWU qualification

 I WISH to express my utmost disgust over the ill-fated arrangement between Divine Word University and PNG Teaching Service Commission on the admission of graduates for teaching positions.

I completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Education (secondary program) in 2013 but to date I am not admitted by TSC because my qualification was not officially recognised.

Prior to obtaining the provisional registration, I filled in the appropriate forms and have gone through all procedures required under the Teacher Registration Form (TRF) in collaboration with the TSC Momase Branch.

I was awarded the certificate of acceptance and admission by the TSC Momase branch during the graduation. 

However, the certificate was the substitute of the formal provisional registration, which did not bear the signature and common seal of the TSC chairman.

When I lodged the application for a teaching position in one of the secondary schools in Enga, enclosing all my relevant documents, the officers in the provincial education office queried the certificate of acceptance awarded to me by the Momase branch manager.

The school principal, who was in desperate need of teachers, had recommended me to the PEB to allocate a teaching position but they remained adamant that provisional registration was a prerequisite for new graduates to be admitted into the teaching service.

They advised me to see TSC chairman Baran Sori to resolve the matter before allocating a teaching position. 

That is an additional burden to how much I have already spent to attain that level qualification to teach as the teacher shortage problem is chronic and continues to do so due to the tuition fee free policy.

I passed copies of my documents to someone in Port Moresby to intercede for me but to my dismay I was told that an officer attached to the Department of Education teacher’s salary section said they do not recognise DWU graduates but only graduates from the University of Goroka (UOG).

Was there any consultation held between DWU and TSC before offering the PGDE programme?  

I see the same program is advertised in the media periodically and I am interested to know whether it was accredited and graduates are guaranteed job placement without facing such hiccups.

Disgruntled Graduate, Via email