Is 10 Years of Free Education Policy Addressing the Education for All Agenda 2030?

The free education policy was implemented at different stages in PNG since independence. The 'Implementation' in the earlier years was short-lived because they were introduced just before the national general elections

PNG Insight's in-depth analysis of the TFF (Tuition Fee Free Policy since 2012), shows that the Free Education Policy misses the Education for All Agenda 2030. 

Though the policy intent was valid, there were serious issues affecting the funding, implementation, monitoring and governing aspects of the policy. 

Free Education Policy - Education for All


After 10 years (2012 - 2022), there is little to show for - no policy platform, no review and no strategic planning. 

So, how does the PNG govt, now or after the election, provide a STRONG POLICY PLATFORM for the Free Education Policy to really address the Education for ALL agenda?

Here is a Tweet that aims to put the spotlight on this very issue - and get people talking!

India's Education for All Act

The Rights to Education Act in India sets in stone the government's responsibility to educate every child. It is no longer a political point-scoring agenda, but a development agenda. 

In brief, the Act titled  “the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act” was passed by the Indian Parliament in August 2009. When the Act came into force in 2010, India became one among 135 countries where education is a fundamental right of every child. [RTE, 2010]

In PNG context, this is a timely discussion because the country just does not (again) wait for elections to come around so that pesty politicians can go around 'kicking the TFF policy like a rugby ball'.

Also. the senior education officers should NOT just sit up there and let 'blue fly' zoom past. It is time to appropriately look at what is happening around the world and advise the government accordingly. 

Education Fund (similar to the SWF) - why?

The Sovereign Wealth Fund is not a new concept, it has been around for a long time. Yet PNG govts, past and present, are finding it hard to come to terms with it.

In fact, the 'SWF is not a recent development but a product of more than a century of evolution. The first SWF can be traced back to the U.S Texas Permanent School Fund in 1854 which got its funding from oil revenue. The original $2 million fund was created for the purpose of helping the public schools in Texas and has since snowballed to more than $30 billion today.' [PNG Insight Writer's Corner]

Since 2012, the PNG govt spent around K600 million per year on keeping the TFF policy going. 

At this average spending, about K6 BILLION will have been spent on TFF education policy to 2022 - that's billion with nine zeros. K6,000,000,000.

Funding this policy is like 'looking for the loose coins' in the pocket. For the last 10 years, the PNG govt simply looks to the donors and what tax money they have to keep the policy going. 

In retrospect, a clever govt will have invested the money and let the interests pay for the policy. 

SWF Education Fund Education for all


When should the PNG govt enact a law on Education For All?


Immediately. 

It will be too late and more money will be wasted if this act is delayed any further. There are people within the education department with enough law degrees and PhDs who can do that.

It is not like they are going to do something new. There are 135 countries in the world that have this law that legally makes Education for All a right! And, the governments as bound by the Constitution to fund the policy.

At present, PNG does not have a Right to Education for All Act. What we see for the last 10 years is simply politics at play.

The great thing about this Act is that no one govt is going to 'kick the TFF policy around like a political rugby ball' anymore.

You can see my work on TFF policy in PNG on the PNG Insight website, including the pros and cons of SWF at PNG Writers Corner - see the blue links in this article.

Follow PNG Insight on YouTube and Twitter.

New Zealand NCEA Results 2023: When does NCEA results come out 2024

When does NCEA results come out in 2024: More than 160,000 students can view their 2023 NCEA results on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) website. Here are some details of the NCEA results release date and how to check the results.

NCEA results 2024 release dates - when does ncea results come out 2023


When Does NCEA results come out 2023/2024?

Last year,  NCEA exams were released on the same date. In addition, significantly more students showed up to sit for the exams unlike the COVID years, 2020 - 2022.


According to NZQA, NCEA results will be released online on 17 January 2024 and New Zealand Scholarship results will be released on 8 February 2024. Students can access their NCEA results online at the NZQA website. 

The scholarship students will wait three weeks longer. Their results won't be available until the end of the first week of February 2024.

How to check your exam results on NZQA student portal

  • Visit the NZQA website.
  • Click on 'Students and Learners Login'.
  • Enter your Email or Username.
  • Click Login.
That it!

If you have difficulty accessing your results, contact NZQA.

NZQA NCEA results 2023 - when does ncea results come out 2023 - 2024

Need help with NCES results 2024 release date?

NZQA’s call centre will stay open until 8pm tonight.
 
It has been expanded with trained staff to ensure we can answer students’ queries about their results, as well as a specialist team of experienced advisors to offer further guidance.

Contact NZQA

Students unsure of their National Student Number (NSN) or Student Login password can contact NZQA’s contact centre:

  • through the website’s ‘chat’ function,
  • on 0800 697 296 or 
  • by emailing helpdesk@nzqa.govt.nz. 

For privacy reasons, NZQA can give results and NSNs only to the students themselves.

NCEA marked papers, reviews & considerations

Students can view marked NCEA exams through the Student Login late in January 2024, a change from previous years, where these have been returned through the post.

After their marked papers are available, students have until 25 February to apply for a review or reconsideration.

New Zealand Scholarship exam results date

Students who sat New Zealand Scholarship exams will be able to view their results online in February, and after the papers are returned, they can apply for a review or reconsideration until March.

The scholarship students will wait three weeks longer. Their results won’t be available until Wednesday the 8th of February 2024.

Readers note:

This information is provided for the benefit of our visitors from New Zealand. This information is updated to fit the format we use on PNG Insight. If you have any questions about the 2023 NCEA exam results and 2024 results release date, please contact NZAQ directly.

Tracking Illegal Logging in Papua New Guinea

A forest tracking system has been developed to monitor the operations of logging companies in the country.

Read about illegal logging in Papua New Guinea

Illegal logging in png


Software developer, Joseph Kanene told N-B-C National News that it’s a cloud-based technology that keeps track of all logging companies within their operational boundaries.

The software is called Logger Watch and is currently being used in Manus to track down illegal loggers of Pobuma LLG.

This is Joseph Kanene, a 28-year-old software developer who hails from Simbu province.

Having no ICT background, Joseph developed a passion for creating software hence, he created several essential software including the Logger Watch- a forest tracking system.

Mr. Kanene believes with increasing illegal logging activities in the country, a tracking system such as this would be very helpful in monitoring the operations of logging companies.

He explained that the tracking system can be utilized by any user to keep all logging activities in their forest landmass under watch.

Logger Watch is currently used in Pobuma LLG of Manus province to monitor operations of Maxland holdings Limited.

He initially started this forest tracking system to be used in Oro and Gulf provinces after hearing numerous complaints by Oro Governor Garry Juffa on illegal logging activities in his province.

Mr. Kanene owns a company called Linezie Data Analytics which streamlines service deliveries of State-Owned Enterprises including banks among others using cloud-based solutions.

Source: NBC News- Stella Martin


Tracking Illegal Logging in Papua New Guinea



How to track Australian passport application

You can now track the delivery of your Australian passport through the Registered Post Tracking Number. This number is in the email and SMS messagesa that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sends to you to let you know your passport is on its way. 

You can use the number to check the passport’s delivery status on Australia Post’s website and app.

Here are 3 ways to track your Australian passport application


1) Track without logging in

You can track your parcel without an account or logging in. All you need is the Registered Post Tracking Number.

2) MyPost account

If you already have an Australian Port account, you can keep track of your Australian passport application including all your parcels in one place.

You can also create a new account if that is necessary for the long run.

3) Download the AusPost app

Download the AusPost app and use it to check on your parcels no matter where you are.

Track passport application

It normally takes 3 weeks to receive a passport. The Australian Passport Office will email you when they despatch your passport. Allow 5-6 business days for delivery.

If you’ve received a tracking number, use it to track your passport delivery.


How to Renew Australian Passport Online

There are two ways of renewing (and applying) your Australian Passport, either online or by what is called the streamlined process which is done via Australian post. This article gives information about what to do to renew your Australian passport online.

auspost.com.au/passports tracking: how to track passport application australian post

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