East Sepik Division of Education

Introduction - This 2014 Brief Report for the Education Division is presented in this simplified format for the reader’s digestion at a glance since most readers have busy schedules and do not have time to read lengthy reports written in prose. It contains mostly statistics indicating progress at the four levels of education and training guided by the ESP Provincial Education Plan 2007 – 2014. It is hoped that it will be informative to all stake holders.

Elementary Education

Enrolment Age: 6 years old
Number of registered Elementary Schools in East Sepik: 510
Pupil Enrolment: 21,639
Number of Teachers: 1070
Language of Instructions: English
Subjects Taught: Language, Cultural Mathematics, Culture and Community.
Infrastructure: Varied – Permanent, Semi-Permanent and Bush Material.

Primary Education

Enrolment Age: 9 – 14 years
Number of registered Primary Schools: 348 (65 Unregistered)
Student Enrolment: 51,123
Number of Teachers: 1,359
Curriculum: Outcome Based
Language of Instructions: English
Infrastructure: Varied – Semi-Permanent, Permanent

Secondary Education

Number of registered schools: 18 (10 new schools approved by PEB at the request of LLGs waiting for IMG visits)=28
Number of unregistered schools: 2 (North Wosera & West Yangoru)
Student Enrolment: 11,322
Number of Teachers: 323
Curriculum: Outcome Based in Grade 9 and 10
Traditional Secondary in Grade 11 and 12
Infrastructure: Permanent

Vocational Education and Training

Number of registered schools: 10 (1 new approved by PEB)= 11
Student Enrolment: 2,121
Number of Teachers/Instructors: 95
Training: Competency Based Training
Specialized and conventional training courses

Combine Team Patrols

The concept of team patrols was initiated to have provincial, national and district education officers visit remote schools and meet with stakeholders students and teachers and discuss issues affecting school administrations, student learning behavior, staff personnel matters,  observe implementation of the Outcome Based Curriculum and teachers’ welfare.

Challenges faced in this activity:

• Late release of fund
• Provincial Treasury
• Province so many questions and not signing claims

Infrastructure

This year funding is made available to three sectors Secondary, Primary and TVET. This initiative by the province is appreciated because it gives facelift to the schools infrastructure and motivates the stakeholders. The division would like to see that there be increase in funding for TVET and Primary in next year’s funding and would like to request that Elementary Sector is included too.

Challenges faced in this activity;

• Late release of funds by districts
• Not releasing funds in full
• District not signing claims on time to draw these funds by schools

Training

In- services and qualification upgrading is an important component for professional development and quality outcomes. This area needs adequate funding by the province for both teachers and public servants in the division.

Challenges faced in this activity;

• Inadequate funding  or
• No funding at all
• Individuals funding resulting in teachers and public servants leaving

Basic Education Materials

All of our schools by sectors have now received Basic education materials, like curriculum books, science kits for secondary schools, solar panels for six schools, Equitv materials and lessons

Challenges faced in this activity

• Storage area in PHQ and even in the districts, LLG and schools
• Sustainability
• Delay in release of funds

Conclusion

If the challenges mentioned above are addressed service delivery in the province will
improve to fulfill the Provincial and the National Governments’ Vision.