MEDIA RELEASE
19 December 2006
For immediate release
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TAKES FORWARD CURRICULUM REFORM
Officials from the Australian Government’s aid program, AusAID, and the Papua New Guinea Government were on hand on Friday (15 December) to witness the official closing and symbolic handing over of more than K2 million worth of assets from the Curriculum Reform Improvement Project (CRIP) to the National Department of Education.
Among several achievements of CRIP, valued at over K100 million, the AusAID-funded project supported the Department of Education to develop and implement a unique PNG-owned reform curriculum from elementary to lower secondary levels.
The new curriculum has been delivered to 7,804 schools in rural and urban areas across all provinces in PNG.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of AusAID in PNG, Ms Margaret Thomas, said these were only a few of the achievements marked over the six years of the Project, but they laid the foundation for the Department of Education to successfully continue in its efforts to make education for Papua New Guinean children more accessible and relevant.
“These achievements are outstanding and will encourage students to participate in schooling across PNG. Specific syllabuses such as ‘Community Living’ and ‘Making a Living’ will equip students with life skills and create pathways for further education and training which is essential for the further social and economic well being of PNG ,” she said.
Commending the work of the Department of Education, Ms Thomas said, the experience of CRIP identified that, given the opportunity, individuals could achieve remarkable outcomes in quite challenging situations and demonstrate creative and innovative solutions to problems that improve the learning outcomes for children.
Media Inquiries: Anna Awasa, AusAID Public Affairs, Ph: 325 9333 ext 304,
Mobile: 693 1097