Over 2,000 Graduates Unassigned to Teaching Positions in Papua New Guinea

A significant number of graduates from teacher training institutions across Papua New Guinea, including the University of Goroka in 2025, have yet to be assigned teaching positions. Member for Karimui-Nomane, Francis Alua, raised this concern with the Higher Education Minister, highlighting the discrepancy between the number of qualified graduates and available positions.

Alua explained that the primary obstacle preventing these graduates from taking up their roles is the withholding of Provisional Registration Certificates by the Education Department, acting through the Teaching Service Commission. This administrative bottleneck is leaving over 2,000 individuals in limbo, unable to begin their careers in education despite completing their studies.

The situation raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the education system's administrative processes. Graduates are trained and ready to contribute to the nation's schools, but bureaucratic delays are preventing them from doing so. This not only affects the individual graduates but also potentially impacts the quality and availability of teachers in schools across the country.

Further clarification is needed from the Higher Education Minister and the Teaching Service Commission regarding the reasons for the delay in issuing these certificates and the timeline for resolving this issue. Ensuring that qualified graduates can quickly transition into teaching roles is crucial for the development and strengthening of Papua New Guinea's education sector.