| Education System in Papua New Guinea |
Education in Papua New Guinea is still not compulsory and as a result adult illiteracy rates are likely to remain high. Elementary schooling takes 2 years at a local community school where the medium of education is the local language. Following this introductory period, children aged 9 to 14 remain on at the same community schools to complete their grades 3 to 8.
If their academic record at primary school is assessed as being suitable, then children may go on to a provincial high school for a period of 2 years. There the medium of education is English, Tok Pisin or Mot according to the region.
Students with academic ambition may apply to attend a national senior high school for a final period of 2 years. These urban institutions are few in number though, and the competition to enter them is fierce.
After completing middle school, students also have the opportunity of entering a variety of technical and vocational schools, and be trained in various disciplines according to their interest.
There are seven universities in Papua New Guinea, some of which are state funded while others are private or have religious affiliations. The Pacific Adventist College offers programs in accounting, business, education, secretarial skills and theology, and the University of Technology provides degrees in architecture, business, engineering and forestry.
The University of Papua New Guinea founded in 1965 and depicted here, has faculties of medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, physical & natural sciences, law & business, humanities and social sciences.
