Enga Teachers College is set to benefit from new teaching facilities and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) resources.
The College will receive an Australian-funded and Department of Education-led infrastructure upgrade, including new computer equipment with wireless connectivity, a digital library and a fit-for-purpose classroom block that will be annexed to the existing administration building.
Highly qualified and properly trained teachers have enormous impact on the provision of basic education in Papua New Guinea. These facilities will form a key part of the Enga Provincial Government’s masterplan, which envisages the development of a world-class teachers college.
The Enga Provincial Government has invested greatly in human development such as health and education in recent years. As a result, the province has attracted many aspiring teachers from across the country to its teacher training institution.
An initiative of the Governor, Hon. Sir Peter Ipatas, the institution has graduated a total of 410 primary and elementary school teachers since its establishment in 2011.
Enga Teachers College is one of nine teachers’ colleges to benefit from the ICT upgrade under the Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership. Australia is also exploring further support to education in the province through the Australia Awards program.
Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, when handing over the ICT equipment to the College, said: “Supporting the development of the Enga Teachers College is a big step towards achieving the goals of both the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia of expanding the country’s capacity to deliver education to many young Papua New Guineans now and into the future.”
“Australia is working with the Provincial and National Government to ensure there is a well-balanced teacher to student ratio in schools,” he said.
Australia, in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea has funded various projects in Enga including drought relief to high altitude areas affected by El Nino, infrastructure redevelopment at 10 primary schools in the Province and the construction of new dormitories, mess and kitchen facilities at the Enga School of Nursing.