WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU ARE ARRESTED BY POLICE IN PNG

What to do if you are arrested. #PNG pic.twitter.com/lnnfvHhtK7

— PNG Insight (@PNG_Insight) January 19, 2018

GPA: How To Calculate Grade Point Average and Why You Should Know It

As the school selection process is coming up, PNG Insight wants to make sure Grade 12 students understand how to calculate their GPAs. Grades are given on a scale of 0.0 (FAIL) to 4.0 (A), and your GPA is calculated by dividing the total points earned by the total credit hours accumulated.

GPA calculations may sound tricky, but they're easy if you have your transcript handy. We suggest using online GPA calculators or directly applying the GPA formula in an Excel spreadsheet to ensure accuracy.

Three stand-out reasons why you should know your GPA 

• if you are looking for a job, it is useful to know your GPA; 
• or if you are applying for a scholarship, many overseas institutions will ask for your GPA;
• or as a new student or continuing student, you should be mindful to stay above a GPA of 2.0, in some cases 2.25 - these are magic numbers! Fall below and you are out, or your parent self-sponsor you.

GPA for HECAS

To be eligible for a Higher Education Contribution Assistant Scheme (HECAS), the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) recommends that you score a minimum of 2.0 or higher. UNITECH has raised this to 2.25.

That means that universities are not places for students scoring a GPA below 2. Questions should be asked as to how they got their foot in if they had. 

If you are an academically bright student, you could qualify for the government's rewarding scheme called the Academic Excellence Scholarship Scheme (AES) with a GPA of 3.6 for first-year students. That means that any grade 12 student with straight As is a candidate for AES) or 3.7 for second to final years.  

If you need assistance, talk to your institution's student service division. 

PNG Unis GPA Info

An updated version of this post discusses the following GPA topics in detail:

• Calculate Grade 12 GPA
• GPA for PNG Universities Selection
• Why you should know the University GPA
• GPA Uni Entry, Scholarship or Work
• TESAS Info for Students
• Grade 12 Guide to TESAS
• How to apply for TESAS Non-school Leavers
• Apply for TESAS after admission

Click here for more information.

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.

CHEATING: EXAMINATION BODY LIKE EDEXCEL, AQA (UK) OR NSW BoS (AUSTRALIA) CAN IMPROVE STANDARD

2015 Legal Studies Paper  Appeared Online Before The Exam. Source: Facebook

Past and present reports have indicated students bought exam papers prior to sitting examinations. Someone along the chain of conducting national examinations (preparing, printing, storing, transporting/storing and taking exams) deliberately leaked them to sell, a serious breach of trust.

Another area where not exam papers, but exam questions are likely to be leaked is during setting (or compiling) exams. Teachers and lecturers (the exam writers) who are usually swept away to set exam questions - are they trustworthy? 

Apparently, possibilities for tempering with these important documents are many. An article here explains where exam papers are stolen, the hotspots.

You may have realised that pinpointing a hotspot is quite complicated. Many people are involved. Education secretaries and ministers have failed to sort out this mess. No wonder it has been happening (and continues to happen) for many years.

2013 and 2014 were worst years of cheating. Many schools in Highlands were alleged to have cheated. Students in Enga and Simbu were left out of selection to tertiary institutions as a result. I remember Enga governor took that matter to court. School boards from two schools in Simbu alleged to have cheated also took the matter to court.

2014 Maths A Leaked Questions Discussed on Facebook

A clear case of cheating happened last year when a teacher admitted to be given 10 Maths A questions prior to Maths  examination. He later found out that those 10 questions appeared in the actual exam, word for word including the diagrams (Here is the link https://goo.gl/z21q9L).

A recent case was also discussed in PNG teachers' Facebook group. This clearly showed legal studies exam paper (screen shot above) was circulated on the morning of Wednesday 21/10/2015.

It is obvious (AGAIN) that papers are already out there  - in students hands - before they are taking the exam this year. What is Measurement Service Division (MSD) doing about it? What can the acting Education Secretary and minister do about this serious problem? 

These examples are not intended to 'rub mud' on those responsible for examinations in the country, but to highlight their ignorance. Though there were widespread instances of cheating in successive years, nothing was DONE to stop it.

Another area exam cheaters are having an easy ride is entry to major institutions like UPNG and UNITECH. Selectors seem to have no 'filter' for identifying cheats. Leaders at tertiary institutions have to stand at the door and identify who enters their institutions. Education leaders who do not want 'rotten apples' in their establishment must play their part.

2015 exams started off with acting Education Secretary giving stern warning after newspapers reported cheating in Grade 10 Written Expression exam. So, what is going to happened when there are instances of exam papers floating around before exams?

The acting Education Secretary must act his words when he said  “If a grade 10 or 12 student is found to have cheated, all the grade 10 or 12 students in the particular  school that the student belongs to will be penalised,” warned Dr Kombra.

His words have no effect if nothing is done. In retrospect, in 2014 Enga governor and school administrators in Simbu fought tooth to nail to have their students considered for certification and selection. They knew it was unjust on other students who did not cheat. Penalising the whole school is 'just over the top'. Are we likely to see the acting secretary's words vaporise into thin air?

Individuals involved in setting examinations to storage and delivery of exam papers are, seriously, jeopardising the whole process. They cannot be trusted any more. The signs are obvious, aren't they? But, we cannot go on blaming students, teachers, invigilators, principals or other individuals. Blaming ' that someone' in the system will not SOLVE the problem. If the education department wants to halt cheating, it has to start thinking outside the box.

Measurement Service Division (formerly Measurement Service Unit and Measurement Service Board) tasked to make examination epitome shrouded in secrecy has failed on its responsibility. This division lacks the ability to safeguard exam papers. It has failed to deliver successful examinations. It has - time and time again - failed the government it is serving. The buck stops with MSD. It, surely, needs to shape up or ship out. 

Prioritising this section of education division (MSD) is the best thing the government can do going forward - give it a fresh look. How can it be done?  Our leaders in politics and education do not have to look further than counties like Australia and UK.

Establish an examination body (an agency) that is independent from and separate of the education department: yet one that is task to improve standard of examination as well as protecting it from tempering. Enable the examination body to employ and place people in strategic (full-time) positions throughout the country to make it work. 

The examination organisation has to be empowered to  perform in all areas of internal assessments and examinations from elementary to secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The body must also be given the ability to collect internal and external assessment data and make informed reports. Overall, it must be a body that focuses on effective and efficient exertion of assessments and examinations, evaluations and reports.

Edexcel and AQA in the UK, and NSW Board of Studies in Australia  are prime examples of such examination agencies. They are separate examining and awarding body focused on maintaining examination standards from setting questions to conducting, marking, evaluating, reporting and awarding merits.

I do not think money is a matter of debate. The government has allocations for exams. Last year it allocated K1 million just for marking alone. MSB is a statutory division of the education department. There is funding allocation for it to function. So, there is no question about lack of funds. What is needed is a bit of foresight and the right human resource to make it work.

Examinations are culminations of years of work from all stakeholders. Why can't PNG have a body capable of delivering successful examinations? 

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.  

120 000 Grade 8, 59 000 Grade 10 and 23 200 Grade 12 students To Sit Examinations in 2015

More than 59,000 Grade 10 students in 256 schools will sit for their weeklong School Certificate Examination (SCE) from next week, an official says.

Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra said: “We have reduced the national examined subjects from 12 to seven as of this year.

“The other subjects will still be assessed and results will be based on the internal assessment.”

He said the subjects examined are English, mathematics, social science, science, personal development and two optional subjects.

The examinations will be conducted from Oct 12 to 16.

Kombra said preparations for Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations were well underway.

Grade 10 SEC papers are currently being dispatched to the provinces.

“All provincial education advisers and examination supervisors are urged to ensure that the examination papers are well secured before they are dispatched to the respective schools.

A total of 23,200 Grade 12 students from 146 secondary schools will be sitting for their Higher School Certificate Examinations (HSCE) from Oct 19-30.

“About 120,000 Grade 8 students from 2,663 schools will sit for the Certificate of Basic Education Examinations (COBE) from Nov 2-5.”

Kombra appealed to everyone to support fair conduct of exams and to report any malpractice to school administrations, provincial and national authorities or Police for appropriate action.

“There are strategies already in place to minimise and avoid cheating in schools.

Source: The National, Tuesday October 6th, 2015 || By SHEILA MALKEN

'The wheels of justice have turned, it must continue to turn.' Sam Koim (28/09/2015)

Our team was disbanded, we went to court.

Our officers were terminated, we went to court.

Our funding was withheld, and still is to this day.

Our lawyers were not paid, and still to this day.

In court, they legitimised their positioning on both sides of the bar table and singing the same tune.

We were denied at first, we made it through later.

Yet, instead of fighting the real issues, they still want us out.

We were branded rogue and corrupt; the Courts removed the tag on us and placed it on those who branded us. That the court did –on a number of occasions.

We have fought this, not only on the legal front, but, tyranny and arbitrariness, threats and intimidation, ostracism and pillory, scarcity and defunding.

We have seen lawyers and spin doctors’ alike taking the fight out of the court room and onto the streets, inviting us for a street fight. We disobliged.

Today, we are back in court to seek the Court’s intervention to remove the persona non gratia tag placed on our lawyers. It is beyond believe that in democratic country where the rule of law should be supreme, such is happening.

We wonder how long we will have to go through the quagmire of unending legal battles. They want this fight to have a natural death by stifling us and subjecting us to maintain battles on many fronts. Mind you, we would have relented if it was a personal one. Yes, we may not have the power to compete on these many fronts but the wishes and prayers of our common suffering people are with us. A fair and independent judiciary is the anchor of our hope. The Courts have, on many occasions, vindicated us of our stand for public interest.

The wheels of justice have turned, it must continue to turn.

Those who unjustly exert interference to the turning wheel do not escape judgement. We have and will continue to witness, as long as the wheels continue to turn.

PNG 40th Independence, PM's Speech: Peter O'Neill Promised to Increase Number of Teachers

Speech by Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP - Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea - Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony, 16 September 2015

Speaker of the National Parliament

Chief Justice & Members of the Judiciary

Ministers of State & Distinguished Members of Parliament

Your Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corp

My Fellow citizens

We live in a great nation, an amazing nation, and one that we can all be very proud of – our Papua New Guinea. Today is a day that we not only celebrate 40 years of independence, but we also celebrate thousands of years of our rich history and our culture – that has made us who we are today.

We celebrate the more than 800 languages and cultures that have developed across our lands. We are a nation of diversity that is rich and amazing, and we are a united nation. As a country we have brought together our diversity to create modern Papua New Guinea. Today we can look back with pride on what we have achieved together. And we can look forward with confidence to an even better future of our children.

We must all be grateful to the founders of our Nation. Grateful to the leaders who guided us towards the declaration of independence on 16 September 1975. We thank them for the progress that we have achieved as one united nation over the last four decades. This is a time of reflection on what we have achieved together. It is a time to look at how we can build an even stronger nation based on those achievements, and on the many blessings we enjoy today.

Of course there have been difficulties over the last four decades – but these challenges have made us stronger. Right now our nation is facing challenges. They come from outside our borders - but together we have to face up to them with the courage and determination that we are well known for. The global economy is facing a very uncertain time at the moment. Unstable commodity prices are placing pressure on many economies and reducing economic growth all around the world. But in Papua New Guinea we are managing our economy so that we can meet our commitments to our people. Even with the grey clouds over the global economy, our country still has positive growth. What this means for our people is that we will see through this challenge in the coming years and our country can grow even stronger.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We also face further threats that come from changes in climate and weather conditions. Right now, around our nation – food gardens have been destroyed by frost. Right now families are worried about where their food will come from in the coming weeks – because they have had no rain.

We have been through this before and we learn from our past experiences.

Your Government has acted decisively by delivering immediate relief. Food is being distributed as we gather here today. We are also distributing seeds so that when the rains do return – our people can return to agriculture. All we ask is that drought and frost is not politicised by people seeking to get attention for themselves. This is not the time to play politics. Drought and frost, as well as other extreme weather - and becoming worse because of climate change - is a big problem for our country and our region.

We recently saw the terrible tropical storms and cyclones that killed people.

We, in the Pacific Islands, did not cause climate change – but our people are suffering from it. Papua New Guinea, and our Pacific partners are taking our message to the global community – that we need action to deal with climate change. In December at the United Nations climate change conference – the voices of grassroots Papua New Guineans will be heard loud and clear by world leaders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

No matter what challenge our country faces our people are strong. They stand tall to meet this challenge. While our nation might be blessed with many natural resources - our greatest resource by far is our people. You, the men, women and children of our nation are what drives our economy and is the power of our communities.

The commitment I give to you today, as I did four years ago, is that we will build on the foundations we have laid.

We will continue to ensure you and your family have free school education, better healthcare and better community services you are entitled to as our citizens. We will continue to make communities safer and create more opportunities for you so you can participate in our economy. The introduction of free school education has been a milestone for our nation. Today 2 million of our children are in school at all levels of education. But we must build on this.The next steps include improving teacher training and teacher numbers.

We want our children have a higher standard of education. We also want more young people to go to university and other study. Our Government will continue to strengthen technical training in our country. We are increasing places at Higher learning institutions each year. And through our vocational schools, we will empower our people with skills to get more jobs in key areas of fisheries, tourism and agriculture. We will further continue to support the wonderful work of our churches at all levels. The health of a nation is a vital responsibility to governments at all levels.

While there is much more to be done to improve access to basic health care, we have made substantial progress in rebuilding all our run down health facilities throughout the country.

We, as a Government must give greater opportunity for our youth. This can be through the development of small to medium enterprises. Papua New Guineans are great entrepreneurs. We always want to have our own businesses. Your Government and your country is there to support you. We will create more opportunities. This will be through making it easier to open a business.

Last night, at the Prime Minister’s Excellence Awards Ceremony, I met several of these entrepreneurs and community champions. You might have seen this on television.

They were both young and old. They were from the highlands to the coast. They were a demonstration of the inspirational people we have in Papua New Guinea. I would like to tell you about a few of them. One is a lady called Betty Higgins from Chimbu. In the 1970’s Betty was an Air New Guinea air-hostess. Now she is a very proud trout fish farmer – with her farm at 2,400 meters above sea level. Betty and her late husband had dreams and they followed their dream. Now she serves locally-caught fresh fish in Chimbu. Let me tell you about Yomas Dosung from Mt Hagen. Yomas is taking up the fight against climate change and extreme weather conditions like el Niño.

He has been cultivating an African style of yam that withstands el Niño and drought. The food developed by Yomas is being shared with many communities. I would also like to talk about Dr Moses Laman. He is our Prime Ministers’ Excellence Awards Papua New Guinean of the year This young doctor from Ambunti in the East Sepik province is already a senior research fellow and respected around the world. Dr Laman’s research will reduce illness and death in underprivileged children in rural Papua New Guinea. This is an inspiration to all of us.

We need to encourage our own Papua New Guinea entrepreneurs in medicine, tourism, and new economy areas such as communications. To the people who already own a business in our country, and are already employing Papua New Guineans. We will continue to encourage you. By making taxation simpler we will further stimulate the economy and create more jobs. We are doing more to make Papua New Guinea a great location for investment.

And we have received great support from international businesses and they have confidence in our economy. This will mean more Papua New Guineans are employed and be in business. Some of the largest corporations in the world are investing in Papua New Guinea, and this is making an important contribution to our economy. But I also I want to see the people of our country take greater control in developing our own resources. This means more investment from our private sector to access our own resources. I would like to see more or our seafood and agriculture products processed in our country. As a nation, we must be ambitious and bold when it comes to economic empowerment and improving quality of life for our people.

My fellow citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am proud of the achievements of our nation the regional leadership. Our country has excellent relations with our immediate neighbours – Australia, Indonesia and Solomon Island. We are engaging with our partners in a more meaningful way. We are also a great friend and partner with our Pacific Island nations. We recently hosted the best Pacific Games ever – where athletes came from around our region to compete at the highest level in our country.

Last week we also hosted the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum. 

In 2018 we will bring 20 of the world’s Presidents and Prime Ministers to Papua New Guinea for the APEC Leaders Summit. This will also include more than 10,000 delegates visiting our cities and regional communities throughout 2018. This will be the most significant international event ever to be held in Papua New Guinea. These events have brought considerable economic benefits to our country and city areas.

They also lead to the construction of first-class facilities that will be available for long-term community use and benefit. Through our international government engagement, we would like to expand our knowledge and markets in important areas. And we are attracting increasing amount of foreign direct investment. These include minerals, energy, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and construction creating more jobs for our people. When you look at our achievements as a nation, there is much we can be proud of and give thanks for. Ours is a country that has seen a lot of challenge, as a united nation.

There is also much more that we can achieve if we work together as one united democratic and confident nation.#

In wishing you, and your family, best wishes for our 40th Anniversary of Independence - I give, you our commitment, as Leaders in this country. You can be confident that your elected Leaders will work each and every day – to ensure that the dreams we all share for our country and for our children.

May God Bless each and every one of you, and God Bless Papua New Guinea.

Thank you.

What Can Papua New Guinea Curriculum Developers Learn From Singapore’s Maths Mastery Lessons

Researchers in the article (shown on the right) compared mathematics ‘teaching methods’ in the UK to the Singaporean method. Their finding revealed that ‘students taught using problem solving strategy learn faster than their counterparts – ‘making an extra month of progress in a calendar year’.  That’s impressive.

Another point worth reiterating is that student’s ability to do well in maths can be enhanced by tweaking it at certain time. 

The report highlighted that ‘even a small enhancement at age 10 yields long term economic benefits for individual and the country’.

Singapore’s maths mastery concentrates on problem-solving

If PNG students were to do well in mathematics, maths teachers have to look at ways to create resources targeted at developing student’s problem-solving skills, ideally students between the ages of 9 and 16 years. 

Take a look at Singapore’s mastery class. A good example has been indicated – using three wooden bars to find three consecutive numbers that add up to 42. Papua New Guinean (and English, US, NZ and Australian) teachers would solve this by trial and error or by using algebra.

Method one: By trial and error - choose 3 numbers at random. Start at 10, 11, 13 (=34); 11, 12, 13, (=36); 12, 13, 14 (=39) and 13, 14, 15 (=42)

Three numbers are 13, 14 and 15

Method 2: By using algebra - let the first number be x, second number x + 1 and third number x + 2

            x + x + 1 + x + 2 = 42

             3x + 3 = 42

             3x       = 39

                       x       = 13

Three numbers are 13, 14 and 15

Importance of Maths Mastery Lessons 

This is not about a complete shift in teaching styles. This is about enhancement – creating ‘power lesson’ effective enough to enrich students ability on a weekly or monthly basis.

The importance of helping students to learn faster and think for themselves is far superior to preparing students for examinations. There has to be a balance between building strong problem-solving skills and preparing students to achieve good grades. 

What Singaporean schools have done can also be done in Papua New Guinea. Giving students the best possible opportunity to improve their maths skills on a regular basis, and above all, prepare them for life.

Practical Mathematics: 4 Easy Skills To Aid Mental Calculations And Beat Non–calculator Exam Questions

Here are four mathematical skills you can use in any situation when shopping or dealing with everyday numbers. In fact, having these skills can make you a better maths student – also will help to add, subtract, multiply and divide accurately. 

1. Easy Adding

E.g. 

Skill: Separating numbers into parts, then add

If you can see parts like 20, 20 and 10 (add to 50) and the other 50 make an easy 100. 

Also, 7and 3 (=10) and 8 and 2 (=10) gives 20. By doing this you can get 120 (100 and 20) without having to use a calculator. 

2. Easy subtracting 

E.g. 

Skill: Ensure last digits end with the same number (353 and 33), then subtract in parts

The idea is that the same numbers result in zero, making calculation easier.  

3. Easy Multiplying 

E.g.

Skill: Separate on number (usually the smaller number) into parts, multiply each out, then add. 

3. Easy dividing 

E.g.

Skill: Identify a multiple of the divisor (24 is a multiple of 12 closest to 33), and simplify

Background

Many changes are happening in PNG's education system. Change in structure (in 2016) and change in the curriculum (2015, OBE to SBE) are two significant educational changes. The changes must be equally complimented by good learning content (syllabus).  

Methods above are examples of creating effective learning contents, especially when introducing mathematics in class. 

Traditional mathematics and practical mathematics are still grey areas in PNG mathematics syllabus. The examples I gave above are illustrations of practical mathematics – you can do a mental calculation using those skills when shopping or doing other everyday math. 

Traditional mathematics skills are those that you may require a pen and paper to work out the answers.  Our parents are very good at such working out. But, if we are to make a nation of quick thinkers, we’ve got to introduce practical mathematics for everyday use – not just to help in tests and exams. 

Take above as examples of how mathematics in the classroom can be streamlined to prepare students for life. 

Justice For PNG Children: Investigation Into K50 Million Stolen By Ghosts In The Education Department – Minister

The minister for education admitted education funds to a tune of K50 million went missing without trace during education leaders meeting in Lae recently. It is ominous though, a very important department has put K605 million (this year, 2015) in its pocket only to have realised K50 million has slipped out a hole.

Is education department on the back foot trying to find out how the hole was created or who created it? No. There is complete silence after education leaders meeting.

So, no news about any investigation would mean such theft is likely to continue? Surely the department has to look for ways to stop losing millions of kina to fraudsters and idiots who keep stealing from the children.

Obviously, people within education system and those outside of it have been able to intercept huge chunk of money easily. Whether they have collaborated at national or provincial levels can only be ascertain if an investigation is conducted.

Any baseless arguments (put forward by senior education officials) that ghost students or ghost teachers or ghost schools are to be blamed are baseless allegations. These allegations can be seen as smear campaigns to divert from catching the thieves, if the ministry of education (NEC included) are mum on this issue.

Papua New Guinea Teachers’ Association wanted the government to find out how the K50 million went missing. Opposition Leaders, Don Polye, clearly mentioned that an independent investigation into missing education funds must be carried out. Same sentiments are equally shared among education leaders as evident in recent media reports.

NEC, having sacked education secretary, must now investigate the missing funds. K50 million is a lot of money. There will be traces to follow to either recoup the money or put a stop to such wastage.

Education department should not make guesses about how funds marked for the children of Papua New Guinea have gone missing. There are no ghosts within the education system.  

What is important is justice for ‘our’ children. Therefore it is rightful to find out how the money went missing – and fix it – and punish those who stole from the poor children. This is the right thing to do.

The #PNG Teachers Association has called on the PM to investigate claims that K50 million in education funds had been stolen from the gov't.

— RA Pacific Beat (@RAPacificBeat) June 28, 2015