Book Review: Secondary Education in Fiji – A Key to the Future by Helen Tavola

Content Summary

Helen Tavola identified three (3) areas as fundamental to the development of Ministry of Education Ministry in Fiji. Namely the Policy variables, political context and government’s Grant-in-school fee subsidy. The three areas formed the basis of her research work. 

She carried out the fieldwork in 11 schools in different geographic areas in Fiji and among wide ethnic composition. One of the social issues that stood out was the disparity in ethnicity and population of children in schools in the colonial eras and before and after Fiji’s independence in 1970. However, it is ominous that Helen’s attempts to address the three (3) issues hinges on the racial divide among the different ethnic groups and their social and economic standings in Fiji societies.

Identifiably, the Native Fijians concentrated more on subsistence and rural agriculture in the early part of developments in of the Education Ministry in Fiji. 

In retrospect, the other ethnicities view education as a way to liberate themselves and encouraged their children to actively seek further education. This resulted in the disparity in the level of education and qualification. The Native Fijians are generally less educated than the other Fiji ethnicities.

Read the complete review in PDF view below.

2024 Grades 10 and 12 Examinations Dates (Papua New Guinea Education Key Dates)

The examinations for Grades 10 and 12 will go ahead as planned and scheduled on the Education Calendar. 

Here is the latest on PNG Education Calendar (exam dates, school holiday dates and public holidays)

Check out the 2024 Gazetted Public Holiday PDF file here and download it!

Grade 10 exams start the second week of October, week 3 of term 4. Grade 10 Examination Schedule - days and dates

Grade 10 Exams

The Grade 12 Exams start in the third week of October (week 4 of term 4 school term) and continue for 1 week according to the Education Calendar. There are no changes as of the date of this post. 

Grade 12 Exams

The headmasters and principals should be well aware of these dates. Parents and stakeholders must note that there is no change to the exam schedules unless stated otherwise by the Education Department in Waigani.

How to Send Money from Papua New Guinea to Overseas Account

Many people wanting to send money to friends and family living and working or doing business overseas may have found it difficult due to the foreign currency ceiling set by the Papua New Guinea government in 2015/16. The issue is real and current. 

Consult your bank for the respective forms

Unlike in the past where you can do overseas transactions freely, presently you may send less than 30 thousand Kina to an overseas account. That means that there is a *fixed* amount to be sending per month. 

It may depend on which bank you are banking with, so find out with your bank about how much the bank can let you send in one transaction.

Find out about How to Change Your BSP PIN at the ATM

Generally, there are three important processes to follow.

1. Complete an application form with your bank to raise the amount you want to send overseas. If you do not do that you will send less than K5000 per month.

2. Complete a telegraphic transfer at the bank.  You'd have to personally go into bank to do this manually. Alternatively, it is much easier  and faster to transfer money online. You just have to register for Internet banking.

3. Complete a Bank of PNG Form- R1 (BoP-R1) and submit it to your bank, online. (Contact me for a copy of BoP form or direct email address if you need it).

The transfer is a monthly transaction done not more than once per month. Simply,  follow the three processes to send money overseas will save you time, effort and headache of standing in queues.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Anthem and Pledge

The National Anthem

O arise all you sons of this land
Let us sing of our joy to be free,
Praising God and rejoicing to be 
Papua New Guinea
Chorus :
Shout our name from the mountains to the seas
Papua New Guinea;
Let us raise our voices and proclaim
Papua New Guinea

Now give thanks to the good Lord above
For his kindness, His Wisdom love
For this land of our fathers so free
Papua New Guinea

Chorus :
Shout again for the whole world to hear
Papua New Guinea
We're independent and we're free,
Papua New Guinea


The National Pledge 

We, the people of Papua New Guinea,

pledge ourselves united in one nation.

We pay homage to our cultural heritage,

the source of our strength.

We pledge to build a democratic 

society based on justice, equality,

respect and prosperity for our people.

We pledge to stand together as One People, One Nation, One Country


God bless Papua New Guinea