Forced to swallow uncooked kaukau: School Reforms in Papua New Guinea - Responses around Goroka

Abstract

This exploratory study addresses the impact of structural reforms to primary education in Papua new Guinea following the Matane Report of 1986 and the Sector Review in the early 1990s. Ten principals in and around Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, were the key informants with the interviews analysis assisted by NUD*IST software. It was evident that hopes were high for the reforms. However, curriculum reform was perceived to be slow and the provision of facilities (particularly science labs) in the 'topped up' primary schools was very patchy. One clear gain was the increased retention to Grade 8 but some principals were concerned about the situations that graduates would face. There appeared to be little pressure or support from National or Provincial administrators, though schools supported one another locally as best they could.