Ministry of Education permanent secretary, Dr Brij Lal warmly welcomed Ministry of Education officials from Papua New Guinea this week.
In his opening remarks, Dr Lal said “this is a worthy opportunity to exchange ideas, views and challenges to make education accessible and affordable for everyone”.
The team from PNG included Ministry of Education executives Wini Leka, Wesley Lakain, Peter Kants and Dr Cameron Nobbs. The focus of this visit was to gather information on how the PNG National Education Plan could be implemented successfully for the next 10 years.
Directors from respective sections of the Ministry of Education Fiji presented their paper on primary and secondary education, Curriculum Advisory Services and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Examinations and Assessment Unit, Asset Monitoring Unit, Fiji Higher Education, Fiji Teacher Registration Board (TRB) and Fiji Education Staffing Appointments [FESA].
The PNG team leader, Mr Kants expressed interest in mainstreaming of TVET education in schools and exchanging or recruiting TVET teachers from Fiji to help facilitate the program. Other interests were on process of teacher registration and challenges in maintaining a FESA.
Mr Kant is positive that future agreements between the two countries will be confirmed once reports are presented to the PNG Minister for Education.
Advisor Dr Nobbs congratulated the ministry for its achievements and gave his well wishes for the progress of the ministry in future.
The team will also tour Nabua Sanatan and Draiba Primary School, Suva Sangam College, Nasinu and Nabua Secondary School and Monfort Boys Town.