HEAD TEACHER RAISES CONCERN ON IMPLEMENTATION OF 1-6-6 POLICY

By Sharon AGAVI

A PRIMARY School Head Teacher in Madang has raised concerns regarding the implementation of 1-6-6 school structure policy stating that schools will be affected during the implementation phase of the reform.

Head Teacher of Bau Primary School Mr. Naikena Sesuki raised concerns on the policy saying it is good as it has a rigorous benchmark system that will surely measure students’ abilities where standard monitoring tests at grade 3, 6 and 8, however, Bau Primary will be affected in terms of the implementation part of the reform.

He said teachers from the old system, Outcome-based Education need to be well versed on the new Standard-Based Curriculum in order to teach using the new system.

He says many schools in the country are facing these challenges and appeal to the National Department of Education to fully equip the schools with teaching and learning materials as well as adequate infrastructure implementation.

In the meantime, the Education Department has recently issued a Ministerial Policy Statement providing guidelines for the nationwide implementation of the 1-6-6 school structure.

This directive aims to guide education authorities, stakeholders, and partners in the establishment of Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers.

It involves phasing out Elementary schools and transitioning them into primary schools with grades 1-6. Junior high schools will include grades 7-10, while senior high schools will have grades 11-12, creating a system of one year of ECE, six years of Primary, and six years of secondary education.