2020 was a challenging year for both educators and students in Papua New Guinea. Even before the pandemic, Papua New Guinea’s education sector faced many challenges. Development partners such as UNICEF have worked over the years with the government to overcome these challenges, which will require greater investments to improve education outcomes.

Papua New Guinea’s geography, its socio-economic fabric and weak capacities add to the complexity. Approximately 80% of the population live in rural and remote areas and many rely on subsistence agriculture. Social protection mechanisms are few and most assistance is delivered through family and community networks.

Rates of gender, family and sexual violence are amongst the highest in the world, while the health system has been assessed by WHO as among 10 worst in the world.

Addressing the impact of the pandemic on education

Attendance and student retention rates have been low for the past years across the country, due to range of intersecting factors, including the stresses caused by poverty, illness, tribal fighting, child labor, natural disasters and family, domestic and sexual violence. The impact of COVID-19 has further disrupted school attendance.

As part of Papua New Guinea’s national COVID-19 response efforts under the Niupela Pasin (the ‘new normal’) and in an effort to build forward better, the National Department of Education is leading an initiative to encourage students back into the classroom with development partners, including UNICEF, Child Fund, World Vision and Save the Children, and funding from the Global Partnership for Education.

Key to these initiatives is raising public awareness on COVID-safety measures. These include efforts to improve hygiene, adhering to physical distancing protocols and regularly checking student welfare.

This initiative also targets teachers, parents and caregivers, and community leaders, all of whom are critical to ensuring its success.

Sending messages to communities on prevention and returning to school

The challenging contexts within which this initiative is being delivered have required a focus on social messaging that is culturally appropriate and accessible to a wide variety of people. Despite being a culturally heterogenous country, communities across Papua New Guinea uniformly share oral tradition.

In an effort to maximize impact, communication has drawn on traditional media such as radio, television and print media in addition to social media, while development partners focus on distributing education materials through community networks, grassroots institutions and faith-based organizations.

Key messages for teachers, students and parents include:

• Education is a foundation for people to better contribute to their families, communities and country.
• PNG schools are back to ‘learning under the new normal’ following a disrupted 2020.
• All children deserve the opportunity to access education and fulfill their potential.
• Regular attendance is key to every student’s ability to learn.

Livina: A resilient spirit and a second chance at education

“I want to be a flight attendant,” 20-year-old, Livina Julius declares as she poses for the camera.

Livina was born with a physical impairment and has been unable to walk since birth. For 20 years, she has been receiving support from the Kiunga Callan Services Inclusive Education Resource Centre (IERC).

Through intensive rehabilitation and her own incredible tenacity, she is now able to walk. Livina is completing Grade 7 and her teacher Mrs. Ainiau explained that Livina’s parents have been key to her progress:

“They have been very supportive in ensuring Livina’s learning continued. I am very proud to see individuals overcome their disability and achieve their dreams.”

Mrs. Ainiau has been a role model for her students as a dedicated teacher and community member who also lives with a disability.

Livina is from Kiunga in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province. She and approximately 2,000 children with disabilities are learning with the support of the IERC.

These students will benefit from improvements in water and sanitation facilities through funds provided by the Global Partnership for Education.

Find more information on GPE’s support to Papua New Guinea.