Kokoda Initiative improving literacy rates
Australia has supported the training of sixty-nine teachers in Central Province to improve literacy and numeracy standards, as part of the PNG-Australia Kokoda Initiative.
The teachers from across twelve elementary and seven primary schools in the Upper Sogeri Catchment area in the Hiri District completed the intensive two week training course last week.
Australian High Commissioner Ms Deborah Stokes said the training supports the curriculum at the provincial level and equips teachers with a range of tools and techniques necessary to meet minimum standards.
“The training has provided proven and creative methods of teaching in reading and writing skills, such as learning to put sounds together and matching the library books to student reading level,” she said.
Koiari LLG President Ogi David said: “We are very happy with the Kokoda Initiative’s support to our planning priorities in education and health. Literacy is the key to advancing the aspirations of young people in our region.”
Central Provincial Education Division Senior Officer Patrick Dimsock said the training enabled teachers to gain the appropriate skills to help children to read, through promoting the use of reading books.
Mr Dimsock explained, “Teachers will walk away from the training with an action plan to take into the classroom.”
The training was funded through the Kokoda Initiative, a partnership between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia working with the Oro and Central Provincial Administrations.
The Kokoda Initiative supports health, education and water and sanitation initiatives in the Kokoda Track region.