The official launch of the ‘Together’ Programme was held at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday, marking a major step in Papua New Guinea’s education reform agenda.
The programme brings together key partners including the Papua New Guinea National Department of Education, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and UNICEF with 12 other partners.
The signing was witnessed by stakeholders and development partners committed to supporting the country’s 1-6-6 school restructuring reform.
The Together Programme is a global partnership initiative that supports the nationwide rollout of the 1-6-6 education structure and the implementation of a standards-based curriculum.
GPE has approved up to US$12.18 million to assist Papua New Guinea in carrying out key reform priorities from 2026 to December 2029.
The Department of Education will lead the implementation.
The programme aims to strengthen the teaching workforce, improve curriculum delivery and learning outcomes, and promote gender-responsive planning and data-driven decision-making.
It targets more than 317,000 children aged six to eight to receive Grade 1 and 2 mathematics textbooks, while more than 7,000 teachers will access digital training content.
Around 500 elementary teachers will undertake upgrading courses to qualify for primary teaching, and 150 Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers will be trained under the new curriculum.
The initiative will be implemented in nine provinces: Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Central, Jiwaka, East Sepik, Enga, Hela, Manus, Southern Highlands and Western Highlands.
Chief Representative of JICA in PNG, Mr. Matsuoka Hideaki, said the launch marked a significant milestone in the country’s education transformation journey.
“Today’s launch marks a major step forward in Papua New Guinea’s education transformation journey. This Together programme, financed through the GPE System Transformation Grant and System Capacity Grant, is now entering full implementation,” Mr. Matsuoka said.
He said the investment directly supports the Government’s rollout of the 1-6-6 restructuring reform and standards-based curriculum.
“This transformation requires strong and decisive leadership from the National Department of Education to ensure reforms reach every province, every classroom and ultimately every child,” he said.
Mr. Matsuoka also acknowledged UNICEF’s role as grant agent in ensuring transparent management and effective oversight of the programme.
Deputy Representative for UNICEF PNG, Mr. Vikas Singh, described the 1-6-6 restructuring as a bold national reform.
“Transforming education requires sustained system strengthening and partnerships that work. The Together Programme addresses the root drivers of education quality and access in the country,” Mr. Singh said.
He said the programme would strengthen the teaching workforce, improve curriculum implementation, and reinforce gender-responsive planning and accountability.
“UNICEF stands ready to continue working alongside the Government, JICA and all partners to ensure that every child has access to quality learning and the opportunity to thrive,” he said.
GPE Country Programme Officer, Mr. Hadi Khan in his remarks, said the launch signified a shared commitment to improving foundational learning and teaching quality.
“GPE is built on the principle that impactful education reforms are achieved through strong, country-led, and collaborative partnerships, in PNG and across 90 partner countries, GPE endeavors to align country partners on reform agenda partnerships that brings change in education. Today’s launch is a shared commitment to deliver change through the 1-6-6 reform implementation”.
“This moment marks not only the start of a new grant programme, but also a shared commitment to the future of children, teachers and communities across the country,” Mr. Khan said.
He thanked donor partners including Australia, the British High Commission and others for supporting the initiative.
Deputy Secretary for Education, Ms. Sabati Mero said the reform represented a historic shift in PNG’s education system.
“Today we are not just planning for change, we are resourcing and funding a revolution,” Ms. Mero said.
She said the 1-6-6 restructuring would replace the old 3-6-4 system, ensuring 13 years of continuous quality education for all students.
“Our roadmap is clear. We are mapping and clustering schools, rolling out textbooks, upgrading our data systems and investing in our teachers,” she said.
Ms. Mero added that the ultimate beneficiaries of the US$12 million investment would benefit students across the country.
“The soft launch of this GPE grant is a promise to the children of Papua New Guinea. It is a promise that their schools will be well planned, their teachers will be well trained, and their curriculum will be well delivered,” she said.
She urged all partners to continue working together to successfully complete the 1-6-6 rollout and transform the future of education in Papua New Guinea.