19 Jan 2011

PNG short of teachers

3:37 pm on 19 January 2011

Papua New Guinea is facing a massive shortage of teachers, with the 2011 school year just two weeks away.

The newspaper, The National, reports there are vacancies for 11,000 teachers nationwide and only 1,200 leaving teachers colleges to join the service.

The PNG Teachers Association says 1,700 teachers resigned last year

The Association's general secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana, says rural-based schools will be the hardest hit as teachers prefer to teach in urban schools.

He says the teaching services commission and the government must take responsibility for the flight of teachers and the plight of the education system.

Mr Mowana says most leave because of poor conditions and the government's careless attitude towards the needs of the teachers.