WEST NEW BRITAIN

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

Division Of Education

Overview

The Division of Education is established by the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government (OLPLLG). The National Education Act (1995) governs the Province’s educational affairs. The Division therefore administers these affairs with the main purpose of implementing national education policies and programs at the provincial level, supporting schools, and promoting education development in the province.

Core Functions

The core functions of the Education Division ensure the delivery of quality, equitable, and accessible education to students in West New Britain Province (WNBP). These functions are as follows:

  • Management and Administration of Provincial Education Affairs
  • Planning and Implementation of Education Policies
  • Provincial Schools Operations and Management
  • School Inspections
  • Teaching Staff Administration

Respective coordinative functions and education services are cascaded to the three (3) Districts and twelve (12) Local Level Governments.

Key Responsibilities

The Division is responsible for:

  • Provide secretariat, technical, and logistical support to the Provincial Education Board (PEB), managing education affairs related to teaching staff, education resources, and data registry for West New Britain Province.
  • Plan, implement, and monitor Provincial Education Plans, Annual Action Maintenance Plans, and relevant education policies, including internal and external reviews of School Learning Improvement Plans (SLIP).
  • Oversee the management and operation of all pre-schools, Junior High and Secondary schools, Vocational Training Centers, and FODE, including the appointment, deployment, and management of teaching staff and their payroll (MPR), resumptions of duties (RODDs), and leave fares.
  • Coordinate in-service training, purchase and distribute curriculum materials, supplies, National Examination papers, certificates, diplomas, and other awards to all sector schools in the province.
  • Organize and fund venues, supervisors, and markers for National Grade 8, 10, and 12 Examinations and the Provincial Grade 6 Benchmark Examinations.
  • Monitor and administer GGTFS expenditure budgets through acquittal processes and set school fees within limits imposed by the National Education Board (NEB).
  • Support National Extended Services for all Inspectors and Guidance Officers, ensuring the achievement of curriculum standards and outcomes.

Programs & Services

The Division of Education delivers the following programs and services:

  1. Management and Administration

The program provides overall management and administration of the internal divisional programs and education affairs across the province. It is also responsible for the appointment and deployment of teachers across the province, ensuring that schools are adequately staffed to meet the educational needs of students. Additionally, the program aims to strengthen collaboration and partnership with stakeholders and development partners for delivery of quality education in the province.

  • Planning and Research

This program is responsible for developing and coordinating provincial education plans that align with the national education development framework. It conducts research and collects data to support evidence-based decision-making in the planning and distribution of education resources. The section also monitors and evaluates education programs and produces reports to guide the Division in improving the quality of education across the province.

  1. School-Based Program

The School-Based Program delivers three main services to schools across the province; these are:

  • School Inspections – Regular conduct of school inspections to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning standards. Apart from termly and quarterly school inspections, education inspectors also conduct the Start of School Year (SOSY) inspection, whereby inspectors visit schools during the enrolment period to take stock of teacher availability, total student enrolment per school, and the condition of school materials and facilities before the school year begins.
  • In-Service Training – Coordinating schools’ in-service training to support the continuous professional development of teachers.
  • Examinations and Students Selection – This activity concentrates on overseeing examinations of grade 8, 10, and 12 while overseeing the assessment process of grade 8 and 10 students to determine progression and placement at grade 9 and 11 levels of education throughout the province.
  • Government Tuition Fee Subsidy – This focuses on liaising with the National Education Department to ensure subsidies are paid to schools promptly.  
  • School Materials & Infrastructure

The School Materials and Infrastructure program is responsible for purchasing and distributing school materials and curriculum resources to all schools across the province, ensuring that students and teachers have the necessary tools to support effective teaching and learning. In addition, the program conducts regular inspections and facilitates the maintenance of secondary schools, vocational schools, teachers’ houses, and ancillary facilities to ensure that all school infrastructure is safe, functional, and conducive to learning.

  • Teachers Administration

This program is responsible for facilitating the processing of teachers’ salaries and entitlements, including leave fares, to ensure that teaching staff are compensated accurately and on time. Additionally, it oversees the repatriation of teachers upon death or retirement, providing the necessary administrative support to teachers and their families during these transitions.

  1. Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)

This program plays a vital role in equipping students with practical skills and technical knowledge that prepare them for employment and entrepreneurship in various industries. The program oversees the management and operation of Vocational Training Centers across the province, ensuring that quality technical and vocational education is accessible to students who seek alternative pathways beyond formal academic education.

  • Education Support Program

This program provides support to the operations of key education organizations operating in the province. These are:

  • Callan Services
  • UPNG Open-Campus
  • UNITEC – DODL
  • FODE Center
  • Teachers Service Commission
  • Provincial Library
  • Informal Education

Structure & Leadership

The division is headed by the Executive Manager, who oversees teams responsible for specific functional areas, including:

  1. Office Administration
  2. Planning and Implementation
  3. Inspections
  4. Provincial Schools Operations and Management
  5. Teaching Staff Administration

Strategic Focus

The Education Division is committed to the achievement of the nine (9) Focus Areas of the National Education Plan (NEP) and the WNB Provincial Education Implementation Plan (PEIP).

  • Focus area 1. Early Childhood Education
  • Focus area 2. Access
  • Focus area 3. Equity
  • Focus area 4. Teachers and teaching
  • Focus area 5. Quality learning
  • Focus area 6. Education pathways
  • Focus area 7. Local management & partnership
  • Focus area 8. Administration and management
  • Focus area 9. Citizenship and values

Contact Information

For enquiries related to this division, please contact:

Division: Division of Education
Phone: 9835555/73043935
Email:
Location: Kimbe-Provincial Headquarter