Students
One of the key priority areas of the government of PNG is to ensure that every citizen have access to basic education so that they can make informative decisions which can improve and transform their living standards.
In 1986 a Philosophy of Education was amended to PNG’s national constitution. The philosophy recognized that the nation’s goals and principles are based on the concept of integral human development, and that an education should impart citizens with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for successful communication and numeracy in the workplace, as well as social and spiritual development
Moreover, integral human development has always been the key underpinning of relevant government acts and policies. The government’s development policy goals is to increase access to higher education. The strategy is aimed at growing the country’s currently small higher education sector by encouraging private players to complement the public sector’s participation. In this, the government is eager to partner with private higher education institutions (HEIs) to supplement its public universities, colleges and vocational schools. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology works closely with private sector providers to supply further higher education opportunities to the increasing number of students wanting to access such education.
As Papua New Guinea’s population increases, the demand for education at all levels is also rising. The country is starting to build the infrastructure and train the educators necessary to cater for this large group of students.
NGOs and private funders are collaborating closely with the Department of Education and DHERST to implement wide-ranging changes to the provision of education in the country, both in its urban and rural areas. As the country becomes wealthier as a result of its mineral and liquefied natural gas deposits, it is essential that no one is left behind on PNG’s path towards prosperity and innovation. Now is the time to start planning for that future, and a high-quality education for all of PNG’s citizens is the right tool needed to achieve it.
Higher education improves an individual's quality of life. Studies show that, compared to high school graduates, college graduates have longer life spans, better access to health care, better dietary and health practices, greater economic stability and security, more prestigious employment and greater job satisfaction, less dependency on government assistance, greater knowledge of government, greater community service and leadership, more volunteer work, more self-confidence, and less criminal activity and incarceration.