PNG TO PUSH FOR STANDARDIZED PACIFIC EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
By Naomi TAKOMA
Prime Minister James Marape has called for a standardized education qualification across the Pacific to ensure graduates from Papua New Guinea and the region can secure employment anywhere in the Pacific.
He made the remarks while officially opening the 2025 Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) last night at Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby.
Marape emphasized the importance of raising education standards in PNG and aligning qualifications with regional and global benchmarks.
He urged Pacific nations to work towards a common certification system that would allow students to have their qualifications recognized across the region.
“Our vision is to make Papua New Guinea’s tertiary education qualifications recognized and competitive, so our graduates can work not just in PNG but across the Pacific,” Marape said.
“The certification must be a common one that is recognized in our region, ensuring that a PNG certificate, a Fiji certificate, or a Samoa certificate holds the same value.”
He encouraged greater collaboration with regional partners, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to support institutions such as the University of the South Pacific and local universities in achieving world-class education standards.
The conference continues this week, with discussions centered on improving access, quality, and innovation in education to support the region’s future workforce.
