The official transfer of the National Capital District education function from the National Department of Education to the National Capital District Commission has marked the beginning of a wider decentralization of national functions under the PNG Reset@50 agenda.
The transfer is expected to pave the way for other national functions, including police, water, lands, power, fire and public transportation, to progressively follow suit as Papua New Guinea moves to strengthen service delivery at the sub-national level.
NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop, who has advocated for a decentralized system for more than 18 years, described the transfer as a historic milestone for education, the capital city and the country.
The official handover was held yesterday at Butuka Academy in Port Moresby and followed 10 years of work and collaboration between the National Department of Education, NCDC and the Department of Personnel Management.
The process dates back to the signing of the first Memorandum of Agreement between NCDC and the National Department of Education on April 16, 2016.
The event was attended by Governor Parkop, City Manager Ravu Frank, NCDC Board Commissioners, Education Minister Hon. Francis Kikin Siune, Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra, Teaching Service Commissioner-Policy Dr Charly Muke, Deputy Secretary for Policy and Reforms, Department of Personnel Management Mr. Ellison Kalimet, and senior management and staff of the National Department of Education and NCDC.
The transfer will place NCDC in charge of the operations and management of 92 schools across the city, from elementary schools to vocational centres, covering 2,319 teachers and about 107,000 students.
NCDC will also have greater authority to make local policy decisions aimed at improving the quality and delivery of education in the National Capital District.
“This is a very significant day, a momentous day for education, but also for our city and for our country,” Governor Parkop said.
He thanked the Prime Minister, former and current Education ministers, the Education Secretary and officials from the national and sub-national governments for supporting the completion of the transfer.
Governor Parkop said NCDC was ready to take on the responsibility and work closely with the national government to improve education standards in Port Moresby.
He stressed that the transfer did not mean NCDC would operate outside the national education system.
Governor Parkop said NCDC would continue to follow national education policies, strategies and priorities while working with the national government.
He said the national government should remain responsible for policy, standards, inspection and accountability, while provincial and local-level governments should be empowered to deliver services at the appropriate level.
“This is about the journey of our people, the journey of our country, and the roles and responsibilities that should be with the national government and those of the sub-national government,” he said.
Governor Parkop said unclear responsibilities between the national and sub-national governments had contributed to blame and poor service delivery over the past 50 years.
He called for greater cooperation between the national government, provinces, districts and local-level governments as the country moves towards a clearer decentralized system.
Governor Parkop said NCDC would focus on improving teaching and learning environments, school infrastructure and access to education throughout Port Moresby.
He identified student retention and access as major challenges, noting the large number of children entering the education system compared with those completing secondary education.
He also highlighted early childhood education, saying elementary schools in the city would transition into early childhood education centres.
NCDC would work with churches, private education providers and other stakeholders to establish consistent standards for early childhood education.
Governor Parkop also called for schools to promote Papua New Guinean cultures and languages, saying education must preserve the country’s heritage while preparing children for the modern world.
He said the education transfer provided NCDC with an opportunity to begin a new chapter and raise the standard of teaching and learning in the capital.
“Today is very significant for another reason, especially for education for our country,” Governor Parkop said.
He said all provinces had now been given responsibility for education, making the NCD transfer an important step in completing the decentralization process.
Governor Parkop said Port Moresby must set the standard for education and demonstrate what could be achieved through effective cooperation between national and sub-national governments.
He welcomed the transfer and acknowledged the Education Ministry, NCDC board and management, education officials, schools, churches and other stakeholders who contributed to the 10-year process.