Papua New Guinea
Thirty educators in PNG recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education at the University of Adelaide, supported by Australia Awards PNG Short Courses. These educators are from schools and inclusive education resource centres across 14 provinces in PNG. Their commitment to completing this qualification reflects their dedication to creating an equitable learning environment for all children to thrive.
The new graduates are part of the 2025 Australia Awards PNG Scholarship recipients, co-badged as the Somare-Whitlam scholars in commemoration of PNG’s 50th Anniversary.
The implementation of inclusive education, including providing opportunities for children with disabilities to access education, continues to be an ongoing challenge in PNG. Of an estimated 413,000 children with disabilities under 15 years of age in PNG, only 5 per cent of them are currently in school.
In supporting PNG to improve access to education for all children, Australia Awards PNG Short Courses supported educators to complete a Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education course to equip them with the skills to promote inclusive education. This short course builds on the Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion, which 22 22 scholars from PNG completed in 2021.
This training signifies the PNG-Australia Partnership’s commitment to supporting the implementation of PNG’s Inclusive Education Policy, and supporting PNG to ensure a more inclusive future for all.
“I have gained many important skills and knowledge from this course, including how to create an environment where all students feel valued, respected and included regardless of their abilities. I am now looking forward to advocating for inclusive education at the primary school level in my province,” says Nerus Yangal, a primary school teacher from Wabag Primary School.
The scholars have also gained insights into inclusive education practices in Australia and have forged linkages to help drive the work of inclusive education in PNG.
Australia Awards PNG continues to deliver targeted short courses from reputable Australian universities to address critical skill gaps in PNG’s workforce.