STEM Education in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

What is STEM? 

What is STEM Education and Why STEM Education? How can you plan, assess, and teach an integrated STEM approach?

These questions and many more really got me thinking when I first heard Hon. James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) announce on media at the beginning of 2020 that STEM education will be implemented in PNG.

This was before I took the Graduate Certificate in STEM Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), funded by the Australian Government through the Australia Awards at the beginning of 2020.

I was an educationist working with the Papua New Guinea National Department of Education, participating mainly in curriculum development, training and curriculum implementation through media and digital technologies.,

Being one of the awardees of the Australia Awards short course, I am honoured to say that through this program.

I have learned a lot more than I expected. I even experienced new technologies introduced to us. The short course really contributed a lot to my personal and professional growth. It was even timely with the current curriculum reform the PNG education system is undergoing.

Here is more information of STEM and SBC, click here to find out

Standards-based curriculum (SBC) development

DOWNLOAD THE SBC SYLLABUS

Currently, the education department through the curriculum division is in the process of developing a new reformed curriculum called the standards-based curriculum (SBC) to replace the outcomes-based curriculum (OBC). 

With the right timing, and from the experiences and vast content knowledge and skills gained through this short course on STEM education, I managed to contribute in some ways to the curriculum development process by embedding STEM concepts, principles and processes in the SBC curriculum documents (syllabuses and teacher guides) mainly for upper primary and secondary sectors.

The lower primary and elementary SBC documents were developed prior to the introduction of STEM education. However, elementary and lower primary teachers have been advised to apply an integrated approach.

STEM Impact Website

I have established a website that shows more details on the progress and impact of my work in STEM. You may access it through this link: https://malachaihenrynatha.wixsite.com/impact-stories

I cannot thank QUT, my STEM lecturers and the Australian Government enough for the learning opportunity, the knowledge and the skills I learned from the short course. 

My story is evidence of that opportunity of how the course has transformed and contributed to my personal and professional growth. Once again, thank you QUT and the Australian Government.

Disclaimer: This article appears on QUT Impact Stories, written by Malachai Nathaniel, Papua New Guinea. You can visit his website via the link.

DOWNLOAD THE SBC SYLLABUS

Education Department Announced School Closure for 4 weeks

 In line with the PNG Govt's National Isolation Strategy, the Department of Education announced the closure of schools for 4 weeks, starting Monday 22nd March 2021.

• School Closure form 22nd March 2021 to 19th  April 2021 (Weeks 8, 9, 10 of Term 1 and the Term 1 Holiday week, included)
• Schools resume on Monday 19th April 2021.
• School heads and Teachers must plan to recover the lost lessons once schools resume.
• Education Department will use Radio, Television and the internet to deliver lessons for key subjects during the suspension period.
• If there is a suspected case in a school community, the individual(s) must be immediately isolated, and you call the local medical centre and authorities.

Below is the circular from the Minister for Education, Hon. Jimmy Uguro.

Given the recent surge in the number of COVID 19 cases across the country, the government will announce a National Isolation Strategy with specific instructions to contain the surge.

Schools pose a huge challenge given the practical difficulties we have to apply and comply with the COVID 19 preventive measure like social distancing. It is possible that nationwide school suspensions or closures can help contain the spread of the virus, thereby reducing its impact on individuals, groups, health systems, and the economy as a whole.

Direction on Suspension  of Classes

Therefore, consistent with Sections 27 and 91 of the Education Act 1983, I  as the Minister responsible for education give direction for the suspension of schools in the General Education Sector for four (4) weeks. Specifically, it is from 22 March 2021 to 19th  April 2021. According to the  Education  Calendar, it will be Week 8, 9, 10 of Term 1 and the Term 1 Holiday week.

Lord willing, we will resume normal classes on Monday 19 April 2021.

This approval for suspension will apply to

(a) provincial institutions (namely, pre-schools, elementary schools, primary schools, high schools, secondary schools and vocational institutions) and

(b) national institutions, namely national high schools, Inclusive Education Resource Centers and FODE (tutorials).

The approval for suspension means that there will be no formal classes, tests, and examinations conducted at a school.

Protocols for Provincial Schools:

1. Each Provincial Education Board in consultation with the respective Provincial Government and Health authorities will determine the smooth implementation of this suspension of classes;

2. Teachers who do come to schools during the suspension to set students homework and other tasks must strictly follow pandemic control and preventive measures at all times. Schools gates must be locked and secured; and

3. School heads and Teachers during the suspension are to work on plans to recover lessons once schools resume, set termly programs, lesson plans, homework, tests and examinations.

Protocols  for the National High Schools  and Inclusive Education Resource Centers:

1. All national high schools will be locked down, and boarding students must strictly follow COVID19 prevention directives;

2. Students who can return home, can be allowed to do so, but they will not return until classes resume;

3. Huge school gatherings involving more than 20 students are prohibited;

4. For every teacher and student who will remain in schools, the whole community must be properly educated and they participate in practical drills on control and preventative measures; and

5. Contacts with outsiders must be limited and highly controlled.

Protocols for Teachers Colleges and Technical Colleges

The directions to be given by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology should be adhered to.

Protocols for Private Schools:

All private schools are urged to follow COVID19 prevention directives and suspend classes for the period of suspension too. All respective boards of private schools must implement directives of the National Pandemic Control Centre and this Office.

Lessons during the suspension period:

The Department will use three modes namely, Radio, Television and the internet to deliver lessons for key subjects during the suspension period.  Details will be made known in a Secretary's Circular.

A Secretary's Circular will also suggest plans schools will take to recover lessons lost during the suspension. We will also make an assessment and advise if there will be any change to the national examination dates soon.

Emergency Contacts:

If there is a suspected case in a school community, the individual(s) must be immediately isolated, and you call the local medical centre and authorities.

Conclusion

It is with a heavy heart that I am compelled to issue this direction, but it is done for the greater good and welfare of our students, teachers and the community at large. I urge all of us to follow all the basic preventative measures to stay away from the virus and protect others as well.

Please listen to the local radio and watch out for other messages and directions we will send out to schools related to this suspension of classes.

///ENDS

The original Ministerial Statement is available here.