The 35th Senior Education Officers Conference is currently underway at the Autonomous Region of Bougainville at Hutjena Secondary School on Buka Island, a significant milestone for education in Bougainville.
Under the theme “Leading Quality Teaching and Learning Through Partnership,” the conference brought together senior education officials, provincial advisors, development partners, church representatives, teachers and students from across Papua New Guinea.
Major announcements were made during the conference by the National Department of Education.
Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra, PhD, OBE, confirmed the transfer of two major education functions from the national government to the Bougainville Department of Education.
The transferred responsibilities include school registration and compliance functions, as well as the distribution of tuition fee subsidies to schools – a responsibility previously centralized at the national level.
"We are probably the most decentralized department out of the whole government system.”
Dr. Kombra added that the national government remains ready to devolve remaining powers—such as curriculum, inspections, and examinations—as soon as the region is prepared to receive them
The conference also outlined ongoing national education reforms aimed at improving access to education, reducing student dropout rates and strengthening teaching and learning outcomes.
Regional Member for Bougainville and Minister for Works and Highways, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, officially opened the conference, stressing the importance of education in developing character and integrity.
“Qualifications certify your competence; education cultivates wisdom.”
Meanwhile, ABG Vice President and Attorney General Ezekiel Massat challenged education leaders to review the content taught in classrooms to ensure it supports Bougainville’s political transition and future aspirations.
He said education must focus beyond infrastructure and place greater attention on teacher welfare, retraining and local training opportunities.
The conference continues throughout the week with education leaders discussing policies and strategies that will shape the future of education in Bougainville and Papua New Guinea.
