Papua New Guinea Teachers Association Demands Equal Opportunities for Women in Education

The Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) is actively campaigning for genuine equality for women across all facets of the education system. Moses Taian, the PNGTA general secretary, stated at a recent seminar that while progress has been made in integrating women into the teaching profession, significant work remains to ensure they have equal opportunities.

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PNGTA sees this role as very important as 50 percent of our members are women. However, they must be given equal opportunity to be where it matters to be able to influence the direction the education system takes.

Taian emphasized that the focus should not solely be on increasing the number of women teachers but on empowering them to take on influential decision-making positions. He highlighted that women constitute half of the PNGTA's membership, underscoring the importance of their equal participation in shaping the direction of the education system. The association sees itself as a crucial watchdog for the education system, a role it believes can be more effectively performed with equal partnership between male and female educators.

The discussions took place at the 10th annual general meeting of the Council of Pacific Teachers Organisations and Women’s Network Conference in Port Moresby. Dr. Rose Kekedo, a former educationist, shared her experiences fighting for equal opportunities and pay for women in education during the pre-Independence era. She noted that despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing equal participation, women often face systemic barriers.

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PNGTA also sees its role as a watchdog to the education system, and I believe that we can effectively carry out this role if there is an equal partnership in the teaching profession between women and their male counterparts.

Dr. Kekedo pointed out that women teachers in remote areas frequently undertake extra responsibilities beyond their teaching duties, while their male colleagues often have more free time. She also mentioned that many women leave the profession due to job transfers that require them to follow their husbands. Dr. Kekedo urged the conference to develop resolutions that would guide women in working collaboratively with their male counterparts to educate future generations.

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The Constitution allows for equal opportunity for all to participate in developing PNG, yet women do not seem to be given equal opportunity as men.