PROMISING: PNG GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO EXPAND ON SPACES AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FROM 4500 TO 11600

The impact of expanding primary and secondary schools in PNG is damning. Students numbers are evidently increasing compounded by government's tuition fee free (TFF) education policy. 

An ABC report revealed that something was finally going to be done about it (increase capacity at higher institutions). Higher education minister, Malakai Tabar, reportedly  said government planned to increase intake at tertiary institution  which is likely to take effect sooner. (Pacific Beat, ABC 19/10/2015). 

Meanwhile, details of how this would happen remained sketchy. A likely avenue to make it work is by expanding existing resources and infrastructure. It is about looking within, utilising what it has and stretching whatever resource it may have to cater for the immediate needs. By this I mean, now - this year's Grade 12. This can be done. It must be done.

Obviously, PNG higher institutions lack the capacity. Numbers released by the Acting Education Secretary indicated a shocking reality. Over 96% of Grade 8,  92% of  Grade 10 and 80% of Grade 12 students do not make to tertiary institutions due to limited space. 

The plan to increase Grade 12 intake from 20% to 50% is a breath of fresh air, in fact an exciting news. 

At 20%, there are just over 4500 spaces at tertiary institution (universities, colleges, vocational centres and other higher learning set-ups). For Mr Tabar's words to come to fruition, PNG government has to ensure half of this year's 23 200 Grade 12 students secure a placing at one of the higher learning institutions. 

That would mean a further 7100 spaces would have to be created to reach the government's promise of over 50% increment in intake. Surely, It is going to be the best thing the government can do right now. And. that is to increase yearly intake from a mere 4500 to 11600 for the academic year 2016.

Increasing intake from 20% to 50% is good news. https://t.co/CKgvGwaItd

— PNG Insight (@PNG_Insight) October 19, 2015

RETENTION: A SHOCKING 96% OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS DROP-OUT

PNG government and education department would have realised that a large portion of teenagers is missing out on higher education. Stats are indicating a sad situation where over 96% of primary school students are pushed out of the system just 4 years before they could have had a chance to get a tertiary education. 

Technical or vocational education

The point here is not about Grade 12 students entering colleges or universities, but having a plan for MOST of the Year 8s to get technical or vocational education. 

It is more important to take them on board the education train than to leave them on their own to fend for themselves at such an early age.

The  Acting Education Secretary, Dr Kombra, in a newspaper report revealed that this year (2015) 120 000 Grade 8, 59 000 Grade 10 and 23 200 Grade 12 students would be taking national examinations. But, there are fewer than 4500 spaces at tertiary institutions.

Numbers of students in grades 8, 10 and 12 

Take a look at the table showing the numbers of students in grades 8, 10 and 12 compared to spaces available to them after leaving school at the age of 18 years.

Retention is the problem, not dropout: students do drop out at will sometimes but those pushed out are more than those leaving. 

So, the government has the responsibility to do something- anything it can- to increase spaces at tertiary level. If this trend is left unchecked, the government's plan to give the younger generation a proper education would not be realised.

Expanding primary and secondary schools

Primary and secondary schools (then community and high schools) mushroomed whereas spaces at tertiary institutions remain low since structural changes took place. 

The number of students entering lower and upper secondary schools increases proportionately, too.

One can also argue that number of students is further growing as a result of the government's free education policy. 

Vocational schools and technical colleges - Key

Go back to the village and you'll find youngsters are going back to the classroom after years outside. This is not a bad thing. 

However, the point is where else they go after they are given this second chance. Do something to improve their chance of getting into vocational schools and technical colleges. 

If the government is really serious about educating the younger generations, it has to start putting its money where its mouth is - increase retention within the system, especially at the vocational and technical training sector.

This does not mean only creating new institutions but expanding the number of spaces available to students at existing higher learning institutions. 

This is surely not a lot to ask. 

96% of Grade 8 students drop out

Of tthe 120,000+ Grade 8 students who sat for the annual exams, only 4% of them will eventually enter a tertiary institution in the country. 

You do the maths. It is insanity.

Why give Year 8 students false hope - hope that one day they could be entering a university or college when 96% are bound for the villages or streets?

Any goals in our National education plans, medium or long term, would not be of any meaning if only 4% of 15 and 16-year-olds will enter higher learning institutions. 

It would be BETTER if 96% make it through, wouldn’t it? The onus is now on the government and leaders in education circles to see through the problem and find an immediate solution.