Use digital technology for right purpose, Raminai says

The National Education

By LORRAINE JIMAL
HIGHER Education Minister Wesley Raminai says it is important that young people know how to use digital technology for the right purpose.
Raminai, during the launching of the national higher and technical education plan, said the environment had changed and it was important that the ministry created new plans and strategies to prepare new graduates to use the technology to excess their information.
He said access to quality education had been a major issue and challenge in the country.
Raminai said the Coronavirus (Covid-19) also had created new pathways through the internet and technology.
The introduction of the tuition fee free (TFF) education policy brought about a steady increase in school leavers and secondary schools.
Raminai said this had forced the ministry to absorb the increasing student population and meet new and improved infrastructure requirements to meet the increasing supply and demand pressures.
He said the TFF also created the opportunity for the private higher learning institution to get those students who missed out on placement.
“Given the increasing number of grade 12 school leavers, it is important that we increase number of young people have greater access to higher and technical education.”
Raminai said the Government would continue to create an enabling environment for private providers to grow the sector in ways that sector in ways that serve the social and economic interests of PNG.
Prime Minister James Marape told the DHERST to set up the higher education standards and allow the private sector to come in a world of e-learning, e-health, e-commerce and stop wasting time investing on internet connectivity.
Marape argued as to why so much time was being wasted on internet connectivity when it was just being wasted on Facebook and WhatsApp.
“I want e-learning to be in a big way – set up the standard and allow private institution grow in the country and if you looking for a place to set up your bench mark just like Australian standard of education,” he said.