PNG Education Statistics 2024-2027: National Examination Student Numbers

Papua New Guinea is on track to have more than 300,000 students sitting the Grade 8, 10 and 12 National Examinations by 2027 if the recent growth trend continues.

The number of students nominated for the national examinations has increased substantially.

Population: Grade 8, 10 and 12

Year Students. Change

2024 | 230,276 | —

2025 | 254,000 |+23,724

2026 |279,526  | +25,526

2027 projection ~307,000 +27,500

The 2024 figure was 230,276 students, comprising 120,000 Grade 8, 77,413 Grade 10 and 32,863 Grade 12 candidates. 

In 2025, the number increased to approximately 254,000, including 130,000 Grade 8, 87,500 Grade 10 and 36,500 Grade 12 students. 

For 2026, the Department of Education reported 279,526 nominated candidates: 157,500 Grade 8, 84,596 Grade 10 and 37,430 Grade 12 students.

What could 2027 look like?

If PNG maintains approximately the same 10% annual growth seen between 2024 and 2026, the number of Grade 8, 10 and 12 examination candidates could reach around 307,000 in 2027.

That would be approximately:

77,000 more students than 2024

53,000 more than 2025

27,500 more than 2026

About 33% higher than 2024

Important: ~307,000 is a projection, not an official 2027 Department of Education figure. The actual 2027 number will depend on student enrolment, retention, progression and final school nominations.

This growth also has major implications for teacher demand, classrooms, school infrastructure, learning materials, examination administration and secondary-school capacity. PNG's National Education Plan projects continued improvements in progression through the education system, including the Grade 8-to-9 transition. 

Source: Papua New Guinea Department of Education; 2024 and 2025 reported national examination figures. 

Non-School Leavers and the National Admission Pool – Opportunities in 2025/2026

The 2025/2026 DHERST Grade 12 national selection highlights significant opportunities for non-school leavers and students placed in the National Admission Pool, offering second-chance pathways to higher education in Papua New Guinea.

Non-School Leavers: A Pathway to Higher Education

Non-school leavers (NSL) are individuals who did not follow the traditional Grade 12 school pathway but wish to access tertiary education. In 2025:

• 8,000 NSL records were received from the Department of Education and matriculation centres

• 2,611 NSL applicants applied through the national selection system

• 8,401 quota spaces were available specifically for NSL students

This means that demand from non-school leavers was lower than available capacity, providing strong opportunities for adults, former students, and other learners to enter universities and colleges. DHERST encourages all NSL applicants to use the National Online Application System to apply and secure available spaces.

National Admission Pool: Ensuring Opportunities for All

The National Admission Pool is a key feature of PNG’s higher education system. Students—including Grade 12 graduates and non-school leavers—are placed in the pool when their preferred programs have already reached full quota.

• 10,750 students were placed in the National Admission Pool in 2025

• Being in the pool does not mean rejection; students remain eligible for programs with unfilled spaces

• Institutions review the pool and issue time-limited offers to students who meet program requirements

• Students must check their My Status page regularly and respond to offers within 5–10 working days

The system ensures that every available space is efficiently allocated and gives students with lower GPAs or unfulfilled first-choice selections a second chance to access higher education.

Academic Context and Access

In 2025:

• The average Grade 12 GPA was 1.9

• Most university programs require around 2.8 GPA

Because some programs were not fully filled, the National Admission Pool allows institutions to consider applicants who meet minimum requirements, including non-school leavers, ensuring fair and wider access to tertiary education.

Support for Students in the Pool

Students in the National Admission Pool are provided with:

• Guidance on how selectors will contact them

• Information from CDE and matriculation centres to upgrade results for future selections

• Access to government scholarships and the Higher Education Loan Program for eligible students

Regional Opportunities

The system also supports regional students:

• 50 places for students from the Solomon Islands

• 20 places for students from Vanuatu in priority programs

KEY STAT: 

Conclusion: Expanding Access and Opportunity

The 2025/2026 selection demonstrates PNG’s commitment to making higher education inclusive and accessible.

Non-school leavers benefit from dedicated quotas and second-chance opportunities, while the National Admission Pool ensures that no available space goes unfilled.