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.

TESAS: Grade 12 Guide to Securing a Tertiary Institution Government Scholarship

As a Grade 12 student with a GPA above 2.00, you may have been denied the opportunity to pursue higher education. While this may be disheartening, it is important to remember that there are still options available to you.

It is important to note that if your GPA is below 2.00, it will be extremely difficult to gain admission to a tertiary institution. This post is specifically for Grade 12 students with a required GPA and self-sponsored students. We want to help you to apply for a government scholarship so that you do not have to put burdens on your family.

• If you do not know your GPA, see how to calculate it ⇦. 

• You can also find out why your choice on SLF has a big impact on selection⇦.

In fact, there are many students who tried again and were fortunate to enter universities and colleges in the country. You can also do the same to secure yourself not only space but also a government scholarship - HECAS.

Research the program of your choice thoroughly

First, research the program of your choice thoroughly. The students' services and administration officers will provide the necessary help.  Start with the answers to the following questions before completing and submitting the application form:

• What is the minimum GPA requirement? This question will help you to identify whether you are a hot, warm or cold applicant.
• How many spaces are available? Knowing the number of intakes every year gives the applicant a picture of the space there is. According to the Grade 12 stats, five students are applying for every space available under government scholarships.
• When is the closing date for submission? Getting the time right is important too - your application must not be too early or too late.
• What to do when you've made a submission? Always follow up with the Student Services or Administration for updates. 
• What if you are not selected after having applied? Do not stop there. If you have done the first three steps properly (and are convinced you are the likely candidate), go to the institution and demand the reason why your application was rejected. This must be done before the start of the academic year.

Make every effort to secure a government scholarship

Second, make every effort to secure a government scholarship for the program on successful application. It is tight to get a Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme (HECAS) scholarship especially if you are a non-Grade 12 school leaver. That means that you will have to sponsor yourself during the first year of your study. 

Once the door is opened for you, get in, do well academically and apply for a second-year scholarship. Make no mistake, you must perform well and maintain your GPA in the first year. 

Importantly, on successful completion of semester one ask your lecturers, Admin and Student Services staff for help with completing an application for securing your scholarship. 

Complete the application form for the tertiary student scholarship offered by the PNG government and submit the application around May/June to the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) in Port Moresby.

Follow up with DHERST Scholarship Office 

Always follow up immediately and regularly to find out about your applications. Thimon is one of the best people to help you. His email is Thimon.Bune@dherst.gov.pg. 

To ask for application forms call 301 2052  or email ask@dherst.gov.pg. More information on government yearly scholarships ( TESAS, AES, and HECAS) can be found on the DHERST website. 

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.

You can follow us on Twitter (@PNG_Insight) for information on Education and Development in Papua New Guinea.

How to Use Your GPA to Navigate the National Online Application System (NOAS) During the Grace Period

The choices every Grade 12 student makes on the National Online Application System (NOAS) are critical, yet many capable students miss out on selection simply due to a lack of proper guidance. 

Providing students with the right direction can significantly increase their chances of entering higher learning institutions. Good marks, typically a GPA above the required threshold, are vital. However, even students with a GPA of 2.8 (Bs and higher Cs) sometimes miss out on selection to universities or colleges on a government scholarship.

Why Students with Good GPAs May Not Get Selected

Three key factors disadvantage capable students:

1. Increasing Number of Grade 12 Students: 

Since 2014, the number of students completing Grade 12 has increased, while spaces at tertiary institutions have remained relatively low. On average, only 20% of students continue to higher education each year. As secondary schools have proliferated across provinces, the competition for limited tertiary spots has become fierce, with five students vying for every available space.

Today, there are 237 secondary schools and NSOE with over 34600 Grade 12 students - see the exact figure here.

SLF Choices: 

A 'funnel effect' means only students with excellent Grade 12 marks and strategic SLF choices get preference. It's crucial to balance both—good grades and wise choices on the SLF. As a rule of thumb:

1. SLF Choice 1: University
2. SLF Choice 2: College/Technical Institute
3. SLF Choice 3: Vocational/Technical Centre
4. ...
5. ...
6. ...

STAT-P Test: 

For those applying to UNITECH or UOG, sitting for the STAT-P (aptitude) test is mandatory. All principals and deputy principals must ensure students intending to apply to these universities take the test. The University of Natural Science and Environment is also expected to introduce entry tests in the future. Non-school leavers should avoid listing university programs as their second choice on the SLF; the first choice must be a university program if they aim to excel in the Grade 12 exams.

Grade 12 Grace Period - Adjusting Choices

The Grace Period allows students to adjust their choices based on their final marks. The online School Leavers Choice system simplifies this process, enabling students to match their grades to appropriate institutions.

Related Articles

• With the increasing number of students passing out of grade 12, only 20% of students were selected to continue after Grade 12 each year between 2014 and 2016. This rate has not improved yet.
• STAT-P Test To get more details on STAT-P, click HERE.

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.

You can follow us on Twitter (@PNG_Insight) for information on Education and Development in Papua New Guinea.

PNG Work Permit One Entry, One Work Permit, One Job

The Government plans to review the work permits of all expatriates to ensure conditions have not been breached, and rules on the issuing of new ones will be stricter.

Labour and Industrial Relations Minister Mehrra Kipefa told The National that the department would implement a new policy from next year to tighten the issuing of work permits. A policy paper on it is currently before the National Executive Council.

“Our new policy starting next year will be one entry, one job,” Kipefa said.

Recommended: How to Renew PNG Passport

“We will review all work permits issued to expatriates to ensure they have only one job for which they were issued work or entry permit to work in the country.”

He said there had been some instances where some expats were granted a permit to do a certain job but then did other jobs.

“Those who are found to be doing such will have to be disciplined, including cancelling their work permits and having them repatriated back to their home country,” Kipefa said.

Kipefa said there were a lot of things to be fixed and he would seek the support of fellow ministers and state agencies to get things fixed.

 “We also have a lot of technical people coming into the country and doing jobs which our own people have the knowledge and the skills to do, and can competently perform,” he said.

“That is another issue I will be addressing.

“We will only issue work permits and recruit expatriates on jobs that Papua New Guineans are not able to perform.

“And these expatriates will be required to also train Papua New Guineans when they are employed here.”

Kipefa said jobs that Papua New Guineans could perform must be given to them.

“We will classify certain jobs, especially technical and skilled jobs only for our citizens,” he said.

“That is what I will be driving and we are looking at bringing the National Apprentice and Trade Test to the provinces and the districts.

“We have started with Mingende in Chimbu by launching a Trade Testing Centre for carpentry at the Saint Mary’s Technical School last week.

“And based on the success, we are looking at accrediting trade tests for other technical courses like mechanical, electrical, welding and plumbing.”

Kipefa said the policy on “one entry or work permit, one job” was expected to be tabled during the first sitting of Parliament next year.

“I am looking forward to giving a ministerial statement in Parliament on the policy and to commence the implementation,” Kipefa said.

The National