The International Education Agency of Papua New Guinea (IEA PNG) is celebrating 50 years of shaping the nation’s education landscape, with Chief Executive Officer Neal Mather commending the organization’s commitment to student development, teacher professional growth, and technological innovation.

Formed in 1976, shortly after Papua New Guinea gained independence, IEA PNG was established to take over the operations of Australian schools in the country, transforming them into a sustainable, fee-paying, not-for-profit system.

“All of the money that parents pay goes directly into services and stays within the organization.”

The 50th anniversary celebrations began with a professional development conference in Port Moresby, bringing together teachers from all IEA schools for a five-day program focused on digital learning and curriculum innovation.

Experts from outside Papua New Guinea were invited to guide educators on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in classrooms.

“AI can assist teachers with lesson preparation and information gathering, but we need to ensure students use it wisely and authentically.”

“We are teaching them to discriminate between reliable and unreliable information and to produce their own work.”

Mather stressed the importance of student safety and digital etiquette.

“Parents can be assured that students operate in a secure, controlled environment, learning not only the technology but the social responsibility that comes with it.”

“We also educate on the safe and appropriate use of social media.”

In addition to technology, the conference emphasized curriculum alignment and core values.

When asked what makes IEA schools stand out from other international and private schools, Mather explained that the agency has contributed significantly to Papua New Guinea’s development since independence.

“We've had thousands and thousands of students who are successful and contributed to PNG in fields of business, politics, law, medicine and aviation.” 

“Internationally, many of our former IEA students are successful in their home countries or they've moved on to other countries so they can demonstrate the skills and the expertise that they learned in the IEA system.”

As the agency continues its 50th-year celebrations, Mather extended an invitation to parents considering enrolment.

“We encourage everyone to explore our schools and see the opportunities we provide.”

“Sustainability and investment in our teachers are key to ensuring IEA PNG remains a leading educational institution for another 50 years.”

IEA PNG’s curriculum, established in 1995, integrates the best practices from international systems, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and the International Baccalaureate.

The school also prepares students for both national and international examinations, ensuring readiness for further education in Papua New Guinea and abroad.

Additionally, IEA operates 18 schools across the country, serving more than 5,500 students from early childhood to vocational TAFE programs.