The newly appointed Education Minister Francis Kikin Siune has pledged to improve learning outcomes, strengthen teacher quality and expand access to education after officially taking over the portfolio.
Speaking during his first ministerial briefing at Vulupindi Haus in Port Moresby yesterday, the Kerowagi MP thanked Prime Minister James Marape for entrusting him with the education portfolio and said his focus would be on delivering quality education for every child in Papua New Guinea.
“I accept this responsibility with a profound sense of duty and commitment to serve the people of Papua New Guinea and to advance the development of our nation’s education system,” Mr. Siune told reporters.
He described education as the foundation of national development and said every child, regardless of where they lived, deserved access to quality, inclusive and relevant education.
Mr. Siune acknowledged the work of former Education Minister Lucas Dekena and Acting Minister Kinoka Feo for their contributions to the sector.
He also thanked Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra, the Teaching Service Commission, the Office of Library and Archives, teachers, school administrators, churches, development partners, non-government organizations and other stakeholders for supporting the country’s education system.
As part of the transition, Mr. Siune said he had begun ministerial briefings with the Department of Education, the Teaching Service Commission and the Office of Library and Archives to gain a better understanding of their operations.
He directed the agencies to submit detailed reports on their functions, achievements, performance, organizational structures and challenges over the past four years ahead of the official handover ceremony.
The Minister outlined several priorities for the education sector, including improving literacy and numeracy, raising teacher quality, expanding Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE), strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), increasing access to education in rural and remote communities, promoting inclusive education, accelerating digital learning and improving governance and accountability.
He said expanding second-chance education would provide opportunities for school leavers, adults and young mothers to complete their studies and gain recognized qualifications.
Mr. Siune also raised concerns about the misuse of resources in schools and called for stronger financial accountability.
He urged school administrators and boards to adopt a “lean systems” approach to ensure every kina spent directly contributed to improving student learning.
“Together, we will continue to strengthen the foundations of our education system and invest in our greatest national asset—our people,” he said.