PNG PM Demands Thorough Investigation into Cocaine Plane Crash in PNG

Prime Minister James Marape Official Statement

Prime Minister James Marape tasked PNG police and Australian Police to get detail report on the plane that crash-landed outside of Port Moresby.

Australian and PNG police have been demanded by Prime Minister James Marape for investigation and prosecution on all involved in the plane that crash-landed outside of Port Moresby.

Plane crash at Papa (Inset: Police recover drugs from hidden location)

“ It really concerns me that an unmarked small craft flew into PNG airspace and landed in an important resource project area of our country. We are not a banana republic where anyone can pick up a plane and just come into PNG unannounced” PM Marape said.

The flight is suspicious and it requires both Australia and PNG authority to ascertain who owns the plane, who flew the plane and what was the cargo, from sketchy indication. Police Commissioner David Manning indicated possible drug trafficking and both Australian federal police and PNG police were monitoring this flight.

Prime Minister Marape whilst demanding detail report and prosecution for this criminal flight, cautions all in the drug business that his Government will increase the penalty of drug traffickers to possibly life imprisonments or heavier penalties.

“ We will have no place for those who think they could peddle drugs in PNG. The pilot is an important link to the cartel behind this drug business and I have instructed police commissioner that he will not leave PNG until the appropriate penalty is served and all other evidence is adduced.” PM Marape says.

He commended the work done thus far but stressed that there are both PNG side players as well as Australian players, I demand nothing short but top scale investigation to put behind bars those involved in this illegal trade.

Prime Minister James Marape Official Statement

Papua New Guinea

1st August 2020 

RELATED READ: 

Police Identified Route Used by Drug Cartels in Papua New Guinea

PNG Education Department Asked to Shut School Early for Two Weeks Due to COVID-19

It is reassuring to learn that on Sunday (22 March 2020), the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea laid out the plan for the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. 

Together we fight against COVID-2019

PNG Insight raised the question of school closure and possible implications on students' learning.  Read the two articles earlier: 

• Will PNG Schools Shutdown due to Coronavirus COVID-2019

• Govt: Clear and Precise Response to Coronavirus Implication on Education Calendar

Regardless of the people's expectations of the leaders in the government, today is a time to come together and fight as a team - leaders and people together as one. 

PNG PM laid-out 13 control-measures to limit and stop movement of people across the international, national and provincial borders; as well as among people within the community in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Are schools closing?

The Prime Minister made it absolutely clear that schools should close early for Term 1 holiday on Monday, 23 March 2020.

Of the 13 resolutions at the emergency parliamentary council meeting, point 8 in the press release read:

"8. Education and Higher Education departments are asked to advance first term holiday as of tomorrow 23rd of March and the next 14 days are to be school holidays". [PM Press Release, Sunday 20/03/2020]

It appears that the students will have an early 2-week holiday whilst the govt assesses the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Australia issue level 4 travel restriction

The Australian High Commission in PNG issued a level 4 security warning - the highest travel warning from a scale of 1 to 4. 

AUSTRALIAN H/C in PNG - LEVEL 4 TRAVEL RESTRICTION

Below is the PM's press release of the 13-point plans

Today based on advice from the COVID-19 National Operation Centre (NOC 19) and National Security Council (NSC) recommendations, the National Executive Council (NEC) in an emergency meeting has decided on the following measures in light of the first positive case of COVID-19 in our country.

This is a national security issue now and not just a health issue but a cross-cutting issue including the effect on economy, law and order and education of our children amongst other effects. Hence the relevance of the following measures.

So far we have done trace of the person that came into our country and he remains to date our only positive person who is in isolation and recovering but to clearly demarcate our country from the spread and for Government to take stock from this biosecurity breach, we are taking the following measures.

 1. Confirm this first case and it’s the impact to ensure we contain its impact including treating, curing and sending the victim back to Australia.

 2. Taking stock of all entry into PNG after 7th of March to ensure all are checked, tested and status of health affirmed. All who have come in or those that have come in contact with those who came into PNG since 7th of March are to report to the hotline below.

 3. Declare a State of Emergency for 30 days in which the Commissioner of Police will assume control assisted by a callout placed on the military to ensure lawful order, control and response to SOE control measures.

 4. Following on our stop of incoming international flights, we now stopping all domestic flights for the next 14 days starting on Tuesday this week.

 5. We direct that as of Tuesday 24th March 2020, no Public transportation of people and no movement from one province to another for a 14 day period. Only approved cargo and medicine and police /military personal will be moving.

 6. The Provincial Governors and their Provincial Administrators with Provincial Police Commanders with the respective Provincial Health Authorities will be control points in all province.

 7. All heads of departments and private companies are to embrace safe workplace practice and non-essential staff are asked to stay at home for the next 14 days.

 8. Education and Higher Education departments are asked to advance first term holiday as of tomorrow 23rd of March and the next 14 days are to be school holidays.

 9. All who have come into the country as from the 7th of March 2020 or those who made contact with those who came into the country from that date please report, call or text to the hotline below.

 10. No border crossing by foot or canoe and police /army presence in border areas will be stepped up.

 11. Banks and financial institutions and super funds will be mobilised to work with Government on economic packages in this downtime.

 12. The SOE controller through the office of Prime Minister will be the only official point of releasing statements to the public.

 13. The SOE controller will issue on details on how citizens and our country respond and behalf in this time and breach of those will be punished as an offence in times of emergency.

We have now mapped the country into zones to isolate this virus from spreading. 

• The mid PNG zone from Morobe and Madang Provinces into the entire highlands,
• the Central Papua (including NCD, Central and Gulf), 
• the Niugini Island Zone, 
• the Sepik Zone, 
• the Western Border Zone and 
• the Bougainville Zone.

The SOE commander will delicate the PPCs to police the zones to ensure lawful abiding to this control measures.

We will get through this phase, we ask from the corporation from all citizens, residents and businesses houses.

God bless PNG.

Press C19/ 22.03.20 | Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape

Coronavirus COVID-19: PNG PMs Address to the Nation on Preparedness and Response Plan

PM JAMES MARAPE'S ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON CORONA VIRUS

My fellow Papua New Guineans:

The world is currently facing a common enemy – the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

As of today, there are more than 132,000 cases of COVID-19 and almost 5,000 deaths reported globally. There are 122 countries, territories and areas that have reported cases. It has also come to our Pacific neighbour of French Polynesia.

Papua New Guinea, as I speak to you today, has no case of COVID-19. However, we have to continue to be on high alert as the risk of COVID-19 entering Papua New Guinea, just like the rest of our region and the world, is very high.

The PNG Government, since January, has recognized this threat to our country and we have started our preparedness measures.

We have a team of dedicated health experts and professionals who are working round-the-clock to ensure we have measures in place to prevent, detect, manage and treat any case of COVID-19.

We have developed a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan that outlines key measures from across different scenarios: from the alert phase to containment and mitigation.

It has detailed actions and requirements identified in every phase and the budget for those activities has already been approved by NEC on Wednesday this week.

These codes are the following:

Code Scenario

• ALERT (green) No case of COVID-19 in PNG (Cases are reported outside of Papua New Guinea)
• CONTAINMENT (orange) Confirmed case of COVID-19 in PNG (At least one case confirmed in PNG)
• MITIGATION (red) Community spread of COVID-19 (Human-to-human transmission in clusters within the community)

❑ We continue to put in measures to prevent the entry of the virus into the country. We have personnel at our points of entry who are screening inbound passengers. Our surveillance team conducts follow-up checks for those travellers.

❑ However, even with these measures, it would be wrong to assume that we will not get the virus. We continue to prepare for the worst-case scenario and make our system ready to response.

Some of the additional measures we are taking are;

● Prevent all passengers travelling from the following countries from entering PNG until they have completed a 14-day quarantine outside the country – these countries include;

• Italy, 
• Iran, 
• South Korea,
• Japan and 
• Mainland China.

● Place a 60-day ban on all public servants from official overseas travel.

● Ban on Cruise Ships and yachts used for leisure with more than 15 people on board.

● Setting up quarantine facilities initially in Port Moresby and Lae and eventually in Rabaul and Mount Hagen as part of our contingency plan preparations.

● Ban on boarder travel until further notice.

● For the next 90 days requiring quarantine, clearance must be cleared only at the declared ports of Motukea, Lae and Rabaul. Severe penalties will be imposed on overseas sailing directly to any unauthorized ports.

● Under our surveillance system, we are keeping data and monitoring the movement of people coming in and out of the country and particularly where they are in PNG using the supplementary health declaration forms.

● Any persons of interest showing signs and symptoms are further interviewed and self-quarantined.

● As of 13th March, we have tested 16 persons of interest in our IMR WHO Accredited Laboratory in Goroka and all have returned negative results for COVID – 19.

● PNG IMR is also preparing to conduct COVID – 19 testings in Port Moresby and Madang within two weeks.

● We will review and update our measures regularly, based on the risk assessment.

I would like to thank the Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Immigration and Citizenship Authority, National Airports Cooperation, Air Niugini and the World Health Organization and other development partners for all your efforts so far.

While your efforts have been commendable, I urge all involved in our response including government agencies, development partners and the general public to remain vigilant as we deal with the threat of this terrible contagious illness.

I recommend that you continue to read verifiable information and inform yourselves correctly. A hotline (7196 0813) has also been established to address the immediate need for information or reporting and to answer questions people may have.

As the Government continues to put in place measures, the PNG people have the role to play. There are very simple things you can do and I want to remind you of these measures:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub.
• If you cough or sneeze—do it into your flexed elbow or use a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then wash your hands.
• Clean your house, offices or stores. Disinfect surfaces, tables or work desks.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you feel unwell, stay at home and avoid crowded places. Do not spread the disease to others.

The health teams continue to conduct a risk assessment. Any further updates will be released regularly to ensure that citizens are kept abreast of the status of coronavirus globally and in PNG.

Honourable James Marape, MP

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

PRESS RELEASE 13th March, 2020

TESAS List Continuing Students DHERST Students Info

The secretary for the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST), Professor Fr. Jan Czuba, congratulated and wished every continuing student the BEST in their studies. He also announced the approved list of continuing students who are on TESAS attending the Higher Education institutions in Papua New Guinea.

Updated info on HELP Students Loan Programs

Here are past news articles and information about DHERST HELP student loan programs that you should know when applying.

• Introduction of HELP student loan
• HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits?
• TESAS and HELP APPLICATION INFO
• How to apply for HELP Application 

Continuing students - Notice

If you are a student with no names on the TESAS-approved list of continuing students, here is what the department had to say...

Be advised that students whose name do not appear on the list will appear on the Supplementary List which will be published soon.

DHERST did not say exactly when the supplementary list will be published. In anticipation of the list coming out, please check the department's website. 

The Department of Higher Education, DHERST, had appealed to the 'institutions who do not submit the list of continuing students to the department are advised to do so before the end of January 2020'. [Press Release, 03/01/2020]

Where to Download Continuing Students TESAS Award List

DHERST TESAS Award list for New Intakes (SL & NSL) and Continuing students for 2023 was released today - download the PDFs here 

How to check your name?

If you are a continuing student wanting to find out your name is on the TESAS Award PDF doc, follow these 5 steps to find out:

1. Open the Continuing Students TESAS Awards List, here (PDF, 99 pages).
2. Download the PDF file to your computer/smartphone/device

3. Save and open the award list

4. Use the 'Search' icon

5. Important: you must type in your full name (Surname & given name)

The names' print is very small. However, if you do follow the instructions, you are likely to find your name quickly.

When you have found your name, make sure you confirm the other details like the institution, program, year and award.

What does TESAS mean?

TESAS stands for Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme. There are two categories of TESAS. See this post for more info on TESAS. 

Perhaps new and continuing students at all tertiary institutions must be up-to-date with the changes that are happening at present. Especially, the changes to TESAS and the introduction of the HELP student loan scheme.

One suggestion is to check the latest updates on the HELP scheme at DHERST website. The department has some updates on the changes in higher education tuition and the purported student loan scheme. Here is an online news article by NBC News (Reposted) - READ MORE. Some key points are listed in bullet points below.

About PNG Insight

PNG Insight is an education blog. It aims to highlight the key developments in the education sector in Papua New Guinea. Started in 2014 on Google's blogger (now self-hosted on Wordpress), PNG Insight strives to be a platform for critical thinking and discussions; and a source of information.

Leave a comment and let us know about your visit. 

Education Ministry Pledged to Deliver Quality Education - Minister's Statement | Papua New Guinea Education Department

INTRODUCTION 

As we are closing the 2019 academic year, I would like to thank the hardworking students, teachers, parents, communities, churches and other supporting agencies for all your tireless effort in contributing to a very successful and tremendous academic year for all of us. 

Without your commitment and willingness in doing things, we would not achieve the things that we have achieved throughout this year.

I would like to thank and commend our provincial and district education officers for their time and commitment to ensuring that quality and important education services are delivered to our schools right down to the districts.

I also thank officers at the Office of Libraries and Archives and Teaching Service Commission for their hard work.

My sincere gratitude also goes out to all our stakeholders, partners especially donor partners, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), and International Development Organisations including:

• Australian High Commission, 

• the European Union, 

• JICA, 

• NZAID, 

• UNESCO, 

• UNICEF and many others for their continuous support in making sure we deliver the best and quality education needed in this country. 

It is important to note that education is an investment and foundation for national development for the future of our children. Our vision for quality education and high standards is setting the benchmark in all areas of education and efforts will be focused on this trend to see better results.

STANDARD BASE EDUCATION (SBE) or / STANDARD BASE CURRICULUM (SBC) 

The Department is looking at the new education reform from Objective-Based Education (OBE) to Standard-Based Curriculum (SBC). The development of SBC is on target and the department is focusing on aligning another component of the education sector accordingly to achieve high-quality education standard results.

 Also, there are ongoing activities including 

• Teacher Training, 

• School Governance, Management and Leadership, 

• Student Behaviour and Attitude,

• Research and Monitoring, 

• Consultation and Awareness that the department is rolling out to support the implementation of SBC. 

Teaching and teaching practices are the first component that will change to fully implement SBC. Teachers' colleges will incorporate their study programs in line with the newly developed curriculum. 

Teachers graduating from teacher’s colleges at the end of both preservice and in-service will be fully equipped with the knowledge and skills of implementing SBC.

In the full implementation of SBC, the department is also expecting provinces, districts, LLGs and schools to create their own policies so that standard practice is maintained at all levels of education in the country. 

This year, the new Citizenship and Christian Values Education (CCVE) subject has been taught in schools. I believe this will enhance the social, mental and physical character development of our children. 

In addition, there will be Boys Scout and Girl’s Guides to be introduced in schools as compulsory subjects. This subject will be taken after school hours on weekends.

1-6-6 SCHOOL STRUCTURE 

It is the government’s policy that all children must complete elementary education up to grade 12 and no child drop out.

The 13 years of education under 1-6-6 is a step forward in providing the opportunity for all children to have access to 13 years of quality education from grade 1 to grade 12 by 2030. 

The implementation of this structure will result in phasing out of elementary school. The preparatory grade in elementary school will be in preschool. 

Children will have 

• 1 year Elementary education, 

• 6 years of Primary education and 

• another 6 years Secondary education. 

Grades 1 to 6 at the primary level. Grades 7 and 8 in Junior High School with grades 9 and 10. Senior High School in grades 11 and 12.

This new school structure under the National Education Plan (NEP) is more focused on delivering quality education and addressing issues like school access, retention and equity.

QUALITY TEACHER TRAINING 

Under the Alotau Accord II, Quality Teacher Training has been the priority for the government. The reform in the education system requires a more holistic approach in delivering quality education. 

Hence, teachers will be trained and fully equipped with the knowledge and skills required in delivering quality education through the implementation of the new structure. 

Pre-service and in-service programs will be rolled out for teachers to upgrade their qualifications from Elementary to Primary and from primary to Secondary respectively as they take on board the responsibilities of the new structure. 

The teachers are the key contributors to child’s learning and development and so I want to see more qualified teachers teaching in schools.

TUITION FEE FREE 

Education continues to remain the government’s number one priority since the implementation of the Tuition Fee Free Policy in 2012 by the previous government. The Government’s funding under the TFF Policy since 2012 is close to K4 billion. 

A total of 11, 194 registered schools in PNG are benefitting from the program with an enrolment of over 2 million students in all our Elementary, Primary, Secondary, National High, TVET Vocational, FODE, Inclusive and Permitted Schools. 

This year, the TFF funding allocation is K616 million. A total of K432 million has been released to the Department with an outstanding payment of K193.2 million yet to be released.

The money that has been released to the department has been paid to all schools including: 

• Elementary Schools, 

• Primary Schools, 

• Secondary Schools, 

• Provincial High Schools,

•  National High Schools, 

• FODE, and 

• inclusive of Education Resource Centres throughout the country. 

The TFF policy name is now changed to the ‘Government Tuition-Free Subsidy’ (GTFS) policy. The next year, the GTFS will be a shared responsibility between the government and the parents which means that the government will allocate 63.4% and the parent will cater for the other portion of 36.6%.

I thank the Marape-Steven government for continuing to support the TTF policy and we will continue to work alongside to achieve the maximum outcome.

TVET EXPANSION 

The expansion of the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector will accommodate the increasing number of school leavers after grade 12. 

Currently, we are looking at having one multi-technical college at each of the 89 districts and two polytechnic institutions in the four regions. 

At present, we have three new technical colleges in Southern Highlands, West New Britain and Simbu province and one Polytechnic institution in Morobe province. 

The Department will continue to work alongside with the other provinces to convert some of the existing Vocational Centers to technical colleges soon.

E-LEARNING/ ICT 

For the next 10 years, starting this year, the Ministry has come up with strategies to ensure that national, provincial and district education systems are operational, utilizing appropriate information technology that will allow schools and teachers to focus on improved student learning outcomes. 

We will embrace technology to enhance learning such as E-Library and E-Learning to E-textbooks and management systems. 

The take-up of appropriate IT systems to improve efficiency and productivity such as the My PNG School and My Payslip applications are not an option but necessary.

NEXT 10 YEAR EDUCATION PLAN FOR 2020 - 2029 

The next 10 years plan period coincides well with the current government’s 10-year goal and aspiration to TAKE BACK PNG AND TO GIVE QUALITY EDUCATION TO ALL AND NO ONE IS BEHIND. 

Under this new 10-year plan, the ministry has considered another three (3) priority areas in addition to the existing six (6) priority areas of the last plan to address the issues in those areas. These areas include; 

• Early Childhood Education to prepare children to advance in preparatory schools. 

• Equity to address the barriers that prevent children from attending schools Continue from such as sex and gender, children with disabilities, children left out of school and children in remote areas, and 

• Christian and Citizen Values that will allow children to have a sense of who they are and where they come from in respect to Christian principles, their customs, culture and beliefs.

All in all, quality education is relevant and therefore useful to the lives of Papua New Guineans and is the key to how well our education system will contribute to the future of our nation to be the Richest Black Christian Nation on earth.

CONCLUSION 

To finish off I take this opportunity to announce that the first time we have successfully carried out the national examination without any embezzlement. I thank all those responsible for ensuring this accomplishment. Well done and let us maintain this benchmark for next year and onwards. With that once again, I thank all stakeholder for your contribution to the many success of this year.

And I look forward to a more exciting journey with you next year. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Prosperous New Year. 

Thank you.

HON. JOSEPH YOPYYOPY Minister for Education

Press release Dec

The Reason 10 Secondary School Principals Suspended - TFF

In a press release the Education Minister announced the suspension of 10 scondary school principals. Most of the schools are in the National Capital District. The 8 schools (out of 10) mentoned were :

1. Vanimo Secondary School

2. Tokarara Secondary School

3. Kilakila Secondary School

4. Gerehu Secondary School

5. Koiari Park Secondary School

6. Marianville Secondary School

7. Della Salle Secondary School and 

8. Jubilee Catholic Secondary School

The reason was that those schools were beneficaries under the TFF policy, but imposed extra fees contrary to the National Education directive not to charge any other fees. 

The directive in full below.

All school Principals of National and Provincial Institutions in the National Education System are reminded of the NEC Decision No. 01/2016 of 04th February 2016 that NOSCHOOL  that receives Tuition Fee Free (TFF) funding imposes any fees including project fees, church agency fees, etc. from students, parents or guardians.

The public is informed that the National Government hasn’t changed its’ Policy on Tuition Fee Free education for all children currently in schools around the country.

Schools and institutions legally operating under the National Education System that are covered by the Tuition Fee Free Policy include elementary, primary, secondary, Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET), Flexible Open & Distance Education (FODE) and Inclusive Education Resource Centers.

The Department of Education has received complaints from parents, guardians and students that school administrations and school boards have asked parents to pay fees prior to enrolment. This is against the Government policy direction, and is deemed illegimate, and against official instructions.

Parents and other Stakeholders are invited to report any particular school or institution asking for any kind of fees as a condition of enrolment to the Provincial Education Advisor, School Inspector or the Department of Education on phone 301 3437.

Parents and community members of schools may support and contribute voluntarily to improve school building and facilities to improve teaching and learning.

The Department of Education also informs Schools and Institutions that K97million withheld from 2018 will be released next week and paid into school accounts to commence the new school year.

A further K616million for this year will be disbursed on a quarterly basis. This is an increase of K15million from 2018.

All Stakeholders and parents are reminded that the 2019 School Year begins on the 21st of January 2019 for teachers and students resume classes on the 28th January 2019.

DR. UKE KOMBRA, PhD

[Education] Secretary

So, is it the Education Ministry and the National Educaton Department fair on suspension of the 8 secondary school principals?

Here is the attempt to address the question of 'Fairness'⇐.

NEW INTAKES SELECTION LIST AVAILABLE - Press Statement DHERST

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) is delighted to provide the complete list of the Grade 12 school leavers who have been selected through the Online Selection System to registered tertiary institutions for the 2018 academic year is listed below. This is the complete list and it is available on the DHERST website.

Check out the latest post on DHERST Selections and Grade 12 results here.

With the inaugural use of the Online Selection System, a total of 12,234 students have been allocated to a study program (47% of the 25,848 who applied).  

All students with a GPA of 2.3 and above that met respective GPA and subject related entry requirements were allocated space within a Higher Education Institution (HEI). First and Second Preferences indicated by the Grade 12 School Leavers were used to allocate a place at a HEI while GPA and subject related entry requirements were used for ranking of the selection list. 

All other Grade 12 School Leavers that selected the option to be considered for alternate offers were allocated space in the program to which they exclusively met the entry requirement and also to which additional space was available.

New intakes from this list will receive admissions offer letter or notice from Universities and their respective tertiary institution. 

We also would like to advise the public that one institution initially provided the DHERST with incorrect student quota. The institution overestimated its own capacity hence it will enroll less students.   

Note that this list is not a Tertiary Education Scholarship Assistance Scheme (TESAS) awards list. The DHERST will inform all TESAS awardees through separate offer letters. Any selected student who does not receive a TESAS offer letter from DHERST should consider himself/herself to be a self-sponsored student.

Any offers given outside of theOnline Selection Systemwill not be considered for national scholarship (TESAS).

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Lenita Mike on the phone 301 2078, email Lenita.Mike@dherst.gov.pg or Shirley Isaiah on 301 2087, email Shirley.Isaiah@dherst.gov.pg.

This selection would not be possible without the commitment of our Universities and other Higher Education Institution as well as the staff at the DHERST and our partner PCG Academia a company that successfully serves higher education sectors in the USA, Canada, Europe and now PNG. I sincerely thank you all for your collaboration and assistance offered.

I would very much appreciate if Universities and other Higher Education Institutions could provide their input by end of March 2018 on how we could further improve on the selection processes and the most important what additional criteria your Institution would like to add to this software. Thus, next year we will provide you with better services. Please forward your input to the Deputy Secretary Operation Mr Steven Matainaho on this email: Steven.Matainaho@dherst.gov.pg or  steven.matainaho@icloud.com

I take this opportunity to wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a fulfilling New Year. May the light of Christmas give you love, peace and happiness. 

God Bless Papua New Guinea!

Pila NININGI 

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology