Papua New Guinea Department of Education

To all our teachers, students, and parents/guardians:
Tomorrow, Friday, April 17 is not a public holiday. Please refer to the Secretary's Circular attached. Thank you.

RESUMPTION OF TERM 2 ON MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026

It's back to school for Term 2 for all students and teachers in the National Education System on Monday, April 13.
Term 2 has 10 weeks.
We wish all the students and teachers all the best in Term 2.
Here are three quick clips to help everyone get in the right mindset for Monday:
For our students: This is to motivate them to return to the classroom with a positive, prepared, and inclusive mindset.
For our teachers: The video encourages teachers to set a high standard of professionalism and dedication to inspire their students throughout the 10-week term.
For our parents: This is to inform them that Term 2 of schooling starts on Monday, April 13 so that they are well prepared to support their children..

Today as we mark World Autism Day, we are advocating that every child can learn and every child belongs in school and in the community. Papua New Guinea Education Department are working together with partners to challenge harmful myths about disability to support equitable access to education for all children. Through acts of kindness, and inclusion - and with the right support - children with disabilities can grow, learn skills for life, and build a bright future.

Update on Teacher Resumption in 2026 and Auto-suspension Exercise

As of the 24th of March 2026, 49,674 teachers have successfully submitted their Resumption of Duty Summary Sheets (RoDSS).
However, the Department’s records show that 22,135 teachers remain unregistered for the 2026 academic year. This figure includes teachers who have yet to submit their RoDSS and new graduates whose registrations are currently pending processing.
As a result, the Department has moved the suspension deadline to give teachers more time to submit their documents. While the original suspension was scheduled for Pay #7 (3rd of April), the new deadline has been moved to Pay #9 which is 1st of May.
Teachers who fail to submit their RoDSS by the 15th of April deadline will receive their final salary payment on the 17th of April, after which they will be suspended from the payroll system.
Teachers whose documentations are received and entered after this deadline and are affected by the auto suspension will be restored on payroll and their pays will be backdated.
The provinces facing high numbers of teachers to be suspended are as follows:
Province Teachers At Risk of Suspension
Jiwaka 2,635
Enga 2,055
Morobe 2,016
Madang 1,956
East Sepik 1,829
West Sepik 1,404
Simbu 1,234
New Ireland 1,156
Eastern Highlands (EHP) 1,143
Central 1,095
Total 16,523

The Department urges the Provincial Education Advisors (PEAs) of the ten provinces as well as the other provinces to do everything they can to ensure that all their teachers’ RoDSS are received, verified and entered into the payroll system.
The auto suspension process is an important step taken by the Department to ensure payroll accuracy by removing teachers who have not resumed duty or have retired or resigned. This process is also vital for identifying and removing ‘ghost names’ from the payroll.
The Department recognizes that teachers are the backbone of our nation’s development and will ensure that hardworking teachers are recognized, registered on the payroll system, and fairly remunerated for their service.

Approved for release by:

DR. UKE KOMBRA Ph. D, OBE.
Secretary

Teaching opportunity for university graduates...

Papua New Guinea and Partners announce over $12 Million partnership to drive education reforms and boost learning outcomes

PORT MORESBY, 25 February 2026 – The Government of Papua New Guinea, together with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and UNICEF, today launched the “TOGETHER” Programme, funded through the GPE’s System Transformation Grant (STG) and System Capacity Grant (SCG), to strengthen the country’s education system and improve learning outcomes for children across all provinces.

The combined total of the US$12.18 million grant supports the implementation of Papua New Guinea’s 1-6-6 school restructuring reform and the rollout of the Standards-Based Curriculum under the National Education Plan 2020–2029. The National Department of Education (NDoE) leads programme implementation, and UNICEF serves as the Grant Agent, with JICA as the Coordinating Agency.

The grant focuses on strengthening the teaching workforce, improving curriculum implementation to raise learning outcomes, and reinforcing gender-responsive planning and data use across the sector, while the school structure shifts to 1-6-6 from 3-6-4. These investments aim to ensure that children not only attend school but also learn, develop foundational skills, and complete their education in safe and supportive environments.

“We are taking decisive action to strengthen our education system,” said Dr Uke Kombra, Secretary for Education. “This grant supports our national priorities and strengthens our ability to implement the 1-6-6 reform effectively. We are investing in teachers, improving curriculum delivery and strengthening planning systems so that every child in Papua New Guinea has the opportunity to learn and succeed.”

Papua New Guinea has more than 2.8 million children, adolescents and youths in the education system - from preparatory, primary, secondary and through other learning pathways like TVET and FODE. However, the country needs to prioritise sustained system strengthening, which remains essential to improve foundational learning, retention, completion and learning outcomes, particularly for children in remote and underserved communities.

“Papua New Guinea is taking bold steps to strengthen its education system, and GPE is proud to support this reform. This grant reinforces efforts at every level of the system to deliver real improvements in learning - helping children thrive and contribute to their communities,” said Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education.

“JICA is proud to serve as the Coordinating Agency in supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea and partners to advance the shared priorities outlined in the Partnership Compact. Strengthening coordination and collaboration is essential to achieving sustainable system transformation and improving learning outcomes for all children,” said Matsuoka Hideaki, Chief Representative of JICA Papua New Guinea Office.

The grant builds on PNG’s education partnership compact, a strategic, country-owned document that defines the country's priority education reform. With support from the GPE, the government and 17 education partners signed a partnership compact in early 2025 to align their efforts toward the “Complete Rollout of the 1-6-6 School Restructuring Reform” as Papua New Guinea’s priority education reform.

As the Grant Agent, UNICEF will support the Government in programme oversight, coordination and fiduciary management, ensuring that investments translate into measurable improvements in classrooms.

“Quality education begins with strong systems”, said Vikas Singh, Acting Representative for UNICEF Papua New Guinea. “When we strengthen teacher capacity, improve learning materials, and use data to guide decisions, we create the conditions for children to thrive. This grant is about building an education system that sustains progress, protects investments, and brings partners together across sectors to deliver lasting results for every child.”

The launch reinforces a shared commitment to inclusive, equitable, and quality education. Strengthening education systems today will sustain progress tomorrow and ensure that national and partner investments lead to durable change for children and communities across Papua New Guinea.

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Papua New Guinea and APACC Formalized Strategic TVET Quality Partnership in Manila
Manila, Philippines — 12/02/26
The Government of Papua New Guinea, through the Department of Education, formally entered into a strategic partnership with the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Manila, Philippines.
The MOU represented a major milestone in Papua New Guinea’s ongoing education reforms, particularly in strengthening quality assurance, institutional accreditation, and program recognition within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector at both regional and international levels.
The Secretary for Education, Dr. Uke Kombra, said the agreement reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to aligning its education and training systems with internationally recognized standards, ensuring that PNG qualifications were credible, competitive, and portable across borders.
“This MOU paves the way for institutional and program accreditation that will support labor mobility within the Asia-Pacific region and internationally. It strengthens confidence in our TVET institutions and enhances employment opportunities for Papua New Guineans,” Dr. Kombra said.
Under the agreement, APACC will provide technical support in accreditation frameworks, competency standards, institutional assessments, and capacity building, contributing to improvements in program quality, governance, and outcomes. The partnership aligns with the National Education Plan 2020–2029, the 1-6-6 education reform, and national priorities for skills development and lifelong learning.
Dr. Kombra emphasized that the MOU placed students and trainees at the centre of reform, ensuring they received industry-relevant training that prepared them for employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in major national and regional development projects.
The Secretary expressed his appreciation to APACC for its constructive engagement and shared vision, noting that the collaboration established a clear pathway for accreditation of Papua New Guinea’s TVET institutions and programs, including preparatory training activities leading into 2026.
Dr. Kombra also acknowledged the leadership and efforts of Mr. Wilson Garu, First Assistant Secretary of the TVET Division, for spearheading the initial engagements, technical consultations, and coordination that laid the foundation for the successful signing of the MOU.
The Department of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with APACC, provincial administrations, and TVET institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement and sustained improvements across Papua New Guinea’s TVET sector.

Authorized by:

DR. UKE KOMBRA, PhD, OBE.
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION

MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENT 01/2026: GOVERNMENT FREE EDUCATION POLICY FOR 2026 FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION SECTOR SCHOOLS

The Marape-Rosso Government has officially confirmed that free education will continue in 2026, with a 10% budget increase to K904.5 million to cover tuition and project fees for all registered schools. This updated policy ensures that no child is left behind while introducing new digital accounting systems to guarantee every kina is used transparently for our students' future. Please read the attached document for more details about the policy including parental responsibilities.

Certificates have arrived and have been distributed to schools as of last week

The Department of Education would like to inform students and parents that the certificates for STEM students, grade 12 and grade 10 were received by the Department. last week.
The STEM certificates were sent to the National Schools of Excellence to be given to the students. The certificates for grade 12 and grade 10 were also sorted out and distributed to the provinces last week.
Meanwhile, the certificates for grade 8 are being processed before they will be sent to the provinces to distribute to the students.
Provinces are advised to use the attainment certificates and the selection list for confirmation and enrolment in grade 9 while waiting to receive their certificates.
The Department of Education remains committed to the integrity of the national examination system and thanks the public for their patience as we finalize the distribution of these important certificates for our students.

Authorized for release by:

DR. UKE W. KOMBRA, PhD, OBE.
Secretary for Education

Heads of Schools and School Authorities are advised through this press release from the Department of Education that the Quarter 1 payments under the Government's Free Education Policy will be paid into school bank accounts this week.

Back to School 2026

At the Department of Education, we know that a successful school year starts with a strong partnership between our different partners and stakeholders. To our teachers, students, parents and guardians: thank you for being our most vital partners in education.

The Department is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for children to thrive. From the first bell to the final exam, we are with you every step of the way.

As part of our Back-to-School campaign, we are sharing these videos with important messages for parents and guardians, students and teachers. The Department of Education thanks the PNG-Australia Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) program for the production of these videos. Together, we empower every child to reach their full potential.

Let their words inspire you as we embark on another incredible academic year. Watch now!