PNG Teachers' Pay Compared to Pacific Island Countries

 Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of any country. They are responsible for imparting knowledge and skills to students, which will help them become successful in their chosen careers. However, despite the importance of their role, many teachers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are paid a low salary compared to their counterparts in other countries. 

In this article, we will examine the salaries of PNG teachers and compare them with those of teachers in other countries. We will also explore what the PNG government can do to reward teachers properly.

How much an average high school teacher in PNG earns

According to the website payscale.com, the average high school teacher in PNG earns between K21,955 and K33,639 per year, depending on their experience and position. 

This is a significantly lower salary compared to teachers in other countries. For instance, in New Zealand, the average salary for a high school teacher is $52,000 (K113,570), while in the United Kingdom, it is £28,000 (K120,900). In Canada, high school teachers earn an average salary of $61,700 (K158,421) per year.

• Read about PNG Public Service Pay Increase 2022 - 2024

• See the last pay increments for teachers here. 

 Factors impacting salaries of teachers in PNG

The low salaries of teachers in PNG can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic situation and the government's budget allocation for education. 

According to the World Bank, PNG has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $2,590 (K5,623) as of 2020. This is lower than the GDP per capita of other countries in the Pacific region, such as:

• Fiji ($5,791), 
• Vanuatu ($3,478), 
• New Caledonia ($43,129), and 
• New Zealand ($43,547). 

As a result, the government have limited resources to allocate to education, especially teachers' salaries, leading to low salaries for teachers.

PNG government's budget allocation for education

Furthermore, the PNG government's budget allocation for education is relatively low compared to other countries in the region. (Note that this looks at the main education budget, excluding the Tuition Fee Free Education Funds)

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in 2019, the government allocated 3.1% of its GDP to education. This is lower than the allocation of other Pacific Island countries, such as 

• Solomon Islands (6.7%), 
• Fiji (5.2%), Vanuatu (4.9%), and 
• New Zealand (6.0%). 

A higher allocation of the budget to education could result in better salaries for teachers, among other improvements.

What can the PNG government do?

To reward teachers properly, the PNG government can take various steps, including:

• increasing the budget allocation for education, 
• providing incentives for teachers, and 
• improving the quality of education. 

A higher budget allocation for education could result in increased salaries for teachers, which can attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession. 

Providing incentives, such as performance-based pay, can motivate teachers to perform better, resulting in better learning outcomes for students.

Improving the quality of education can also lead to better salaries for teachers. When students perform better in national and international assessments, it reflects positively on the quality of education provided by the country. 

The government can improve the quality of education by investing in teacher training, providing resources for schools, and improving the curriculum.

PNG Teachers' Pay Compared to Pacific Island Countries

The salaries of teachers in PNG are lower compared to those in other countries, and this can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic situation and the government's budget allocation for education. 

To reward teachers properly, the government can attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession, resulting in better learning outcomes for students and a brighter future for the country.

In summary, it is clear that the salaries of teachers in Papua New Guinea are comparatively low when compared to those in other Pacific Island countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. 

However, the government can take steps to reward teachers properly, including increasing the budget allocation for education, providing incentives for teachers, and improving the quality of education. 

It is essential for the government to recognize the important role that teachers play in shaping the future of the country and to ensure that they are adequately compensated for their work. 

Sources:

https://www.payscale.com/research/PG/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

https://www.education.gov.pg/

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=PG-FJ-NC-NZ-SB-VU

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?locations=PG-FJ-NC-NZ-SB-VU

https://www.unesco.org/education/indices/education-at-a-glance/report-2019/developing-regions/pacific

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/papuanewguinea/publication/pacific-human-capital-development-a-study-of-skills-shortages-in-the-region

https://www.asiapacific.ca/statistics/data-brief/gdp-capita-current-usd-2018

https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/getting-started/before-you-apply/what-youll-earn/

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

PNG Public Service Pay Increase 2022 - 2024

A three-year (2022-2024) Salary Fixation Agreement has been signed to increase the pay of PNG public servants. The agreement provides for a general increase in the Public Service Performance Based Salary Structure or PBSS.

The increase comprises two parts over the three-year period:

• an increase of 1.5% generally across the board, plus
• an additional 1.5% of the base salary.

See the last pay increments for teachers here.

Schecule 1: PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2019 - 2022

Schedule 2: PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2022 - 2023

Schedule 3: PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2023 - 2024

Contact DPM - Port Moresby

If you have any questions about the 'PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2023 - 2024', call the Department of Personal Management (DPM) on 3276309, 3276392, 3276336, 3276373 or 3276403.

PNG Teachers Pay - Do Not Pay Bribe to Get Pay Processsed at Waigani | Papua New Guinea Education Department

TEACHERS must not be paying fees to have their salaries processed, Education Department first secretary (financial services) Camillus Kanau says.

“It is wrong and must be discouraged,” he added.

Kanau urged teachers nationwide to report any officer in, both national and provincial, offices asking for inducements, charges and service fees to deal with matters on teachers’ salary matters.

He said there were processes in place in the department to deal with such officers.

He said a public notice had been released by the secretary’s office that demanding service fees and charges were tantamount to bribery and corruption.

Kanau also reminded teachers to always come forward with evidence when reporting such cases.

“We have asked teachers to provide copies of deposit slips if the transactions have been made manually and also statements if the transactions have been made electronically,” he said.

“This will help us to track down officers who are responsible so that we can report them to department secretary Dr Uke Kombra for disciplinary action.”

Kanau said regardless of the huge number of complaints from teachers, the department could not do much to help teachers without proof that payments had been made on the matter.

“If this is the case at the provincial level, then teachers must report the matter to their respective education advisers,” he said.

“But if it is at the national level, then teachers are urged to report the matter to this office with evidence.”

Source: The National Newspaper [23/08/2022]

Teaching Service Fixation Agreement (2014-2016) - PNG Public Service Pay Scale

New teachers and those who do not know how you are paid, you are paid up Scales of 1 - 12 (TS1 – TS12) and across Grades 1 - 7. In other words, you move up the Pay Scale and along the Pay Grade. It can happen simultaneously or one at a time.

Salary Fixation Agreement 2014 – 2016 Teachers Pay Scale and Pay Grade

Click on the link to see the latest pay increase for PNG Public Servants 2022 - 2024

PNG Public Service Pay Scale

A review of teachers’ salaries conducted in 2013 agreed to a 33% rise in base pay over three years, 2014 - 2016. The increment came at the back of an increase in the number of students and teachers increased workload; as well as the increasing prices of goods and services. The increment was, in fact, an agreement set in stone and effective as of the first pay of 2014. 

By now all teachers, from preprimary to primary and secondary schools, should be paid the agreed salaries at 2016 rates.

An additional Service Allowance of 10% was also accorded to teachers and matured in 2016. This additional increase means that between (and inclusive of) 2014 and 2016 teachers’ total salaries (TOTAL SALARY = BASE SALARY + SERVICE ALLOWANCE) increased by 43%. 

Teachers, perhaps it is important to know your pay scale and pay grade. Knowing the two will help you to determine whether you are receiving the right salary or not. The diagram shows the increase – take particular note of 2016 salaries.

#PNG teachers' salary scale: by now all teachers nationwide should be receiving the correct pay package according to the agreement. pic.twitter.com/nVVCBP9NdY

— PNG Insight (@PNG_Insight) May 27, 2017

PNG teachers pay increase

The Teaching Service is now accountable to teachers after the three years, 2014-2017. The TSC has got to do its work right. At the moment, two questions needed answers from the commission, TSC:

1. Are the teachers paid at 2016 pay grade?

This is a serious question and only teachers and school administrators know whether they received the promised increase or not. Make it your agenda in school staff meetings. Confirm your pay scale and pay grade. Make sure you are paid your dues. 

If you are sitting on a confirmed position (by this I mean a confirmed pay scale and pay grade); and not paid the right amount, raise it immediately and asked for a back payment.

Note: Do not waste your time if you are acting on a substantive level. Do not try to claim at that pay scale as you will not be entertained.

2. When is another review due?

According to the Teaching Service Fixation Agreement 2014-2016, another review was due on the 1st of January 2017. I hope TSC has not gone to sleep on it. 

This review has to be considered urgent. It is already overdue. The TSC, Education Secretary and Education Minister (in the new government after the June elections) must make it their number one priority. 

Having said that, the TSC commissioner and Education Secretary should initiate the review NOW. They shouldn’t wait. Another 3-year review (2018-2020) has to be swiftly done and submitted to the new education minister as soon as s/he is appointed to the role in the new government. 

All in all, increasing the price of goods and services and overcrowding in classrooms; capped off with a mountain of work, teachers deserve another pay increase. TSC must think right – take the lead, and urgently initiate a review of teachers’ salaries, service allowance and leave entitlements.