Support to Papua New Guinea to raise the profile of literacy and NFE

In the course of providing technical assistance to the programme “Accelerating National Efforts in Papua New Guinea to Achieve EFA through LIFE”, UIL was able to brief the Minister of Education and the First Secretary on the need for increased literacy efforts. Reporting to them on the outcomes of two technical workshops which took place in November, UIL Senior Programme Specialist Ulrike Hanemann highlighted the importance of addressing literacy within a lifelong learning perspective. Recommendations included strengthening the Ministry’s institutional response and developing a coherent policy and strategic plans at sub-national level for literacy and non-formal education. They also included designing a flagship programme for adults, leading to a certificate equivalent to a qualification in formal basic education.

The urgent need for strong political leadership at the highest level to address the national literacy challenge has become even more evident in light of the results of a recent survey conducted by the Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) and the Papua New Guinea Education Advocacy Network (PEAN) in five provinces. Literacy rates in four of the five provinces were less than 15%, while in the fifth province the literacy rate was 25%. In addition, the survey found significant gender disparities in literacy and education. Of those attending primary and secondary school, less than 20% were classified as literate.