DHERST Grade 12 Selection - Stats that Matter

Executive Summary: The data presented for the years 2019 to 2023 shows a 'minimal' growth in the number of Grade 12 students taking the national exams and aspiring to pursue higher education. 

The Grade 12 School Leavers ONLINE Selection started in 2018. It is the best thing that happens. The online selection helps DHERST, the government and stakeholders know exactly how many Grade 12 students are selected for universities and colleges. 

In a recent media statement, DHERST resorted to also bringing the NON-SCHOOL LEAVERS Selection ONLINE. Universities and colleges are not going to make the selections. So, what does that mean for you as a non-school leaver applicant? Find out here

In 2019, 27,143 students sat for the exams, and 9,374 were admitted to higher education institutions (HEIs). This number climbed to 30,711 and 7,000, respectively, in 2020, followed by 31,817 and 16,171, respectively, in 2021. 

The trend persisted in 2023, with a total of 31,252 students sitting for the exams. This highlights the rising demand for tertiary education in Papua New Guinea. However, the data also exposes an inadequacy of available spots in HEIs to cater to all eligible students. 

In 2021, 10,373 Grade 12 students were not selected for tertiary studies. This necessitates the government's expansion of HEI capacity or increased scholarship funding.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR READERS: PNG Insight compiles that data year-on-year on this page to give readers a good idea about the number of grade 12 students in the country. We know that DHERST and the Department of Education do not have a better way to compile vital data and stat over the years. This data is important for planning as well as for academia.

Analyzing Grade 12 Trends: A Decade of Educational Shifts in Papua New Guinea

Introduction

In the ever-changing landscape of Papua New Guinea's education system, the transition of Grade 12 students to tertiary institutions has undergone significant transformations over the years. This article delves into the statistics of Grade 12 student intakes, focusing on the yearly increases and the implications for the country's academic planning. The data presented sheds light on the challenges and opportunities faced by students as they navigate from secondary to tertiary education.

2019 Grade 12 Selection

In 2019, a total of 27,143 students sat for the end-of-year exams, with 9,374 successfully matriculating into tertiary institutions. This marked the commencement of our exploration of the evolving landscape of Grade 12 education.

2020 Grade 12 Selection

The subsequent year, 2020, witnessed a rise in the number of students taking the exams, with 30,711 sitting for the assessments. 

Out of these, 7,000 gained admission to tertiary institutions. However, a staggering 23,000 Grade 12 students did not enter a tertiary institution, highlighting the challenges faced within the education system.

2021 Grade 12 Selection

The year 2021 saw a notable increase in the number of nominated students, with 31,817 students nominated to sit for the exams. Of these, 26,544 were certified, but only 16,171 could be accommodated in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). 

A significant number of 10,373 Grade 12 students were not selected for 2022 HEI studies, indicating a widening disparity between student demand and available slots.

2023 Grade 12 Selection

Fast forward to 2023, when a total of 31,252 students were nominated to sit the exams. The numbers continue to rise, emphasizing the escalating demand for tertiary education among Grade 12 students.

Conclusion

As we reflect upon the past years, the data compiled by PNG Insight reveals a consistent and substantial rise in the number of Grade 12 students, reflecting both commendable efforts to enhance educational opportunities and the challenges faced in accommodating this surge. 

These statistics serve as a crucial resource for planning and academic decision-making in Papua New Guinea. The annual statistics underscore the importance of addressing the increasing demand for tertiary education while ensuring that the system effectively supports and retains students. 

About PNG Insight

Since its inception in 2014, PNG Insight has been a valuable source of information and critical discussions regarding education in Papua New Guinea. This platform remains committed to fostering awareness and understanding of the evolving educational landscape in the country.

DHERST TESAS Award list for New Intakes (SL & NSL) and Continuing students for 2023 was released today - download the PDFs here 

2023 Grade 12 selection

• 31,252 students were nominated to sit the exams

2021 Grade 12 selection

• 31, 817 students were nominated to sit the exams; 
• 26,544 students were certified; 
• total HEI quota for 2021 is 16,171; 
• 10,373 Grade 12 students were NOT selected for 2022 HEI studies.

2020 Grade 12 selection

• 30,711 sat for exams and were certified;
• 7,000 entered a TI;
• 23,000 Gr 12 did NOT enter a TI.

2019 Grade 12 selection

• 9,374 entered TIs
• 27,143 who sat for the end-of-the-year exams.

LATEST ARTICLE: PNG Universities and Colleges 2022 Acceptance List Info, TESAS, HELP Loan and Registration and Orientation - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.

THE ORIGINAL DATA WE COMPILED SINCE 2018 CAN BE SEEN AFTER THE BREAK

Information about the selection for Grade 12

You may find the hints helpful when checking for the students on the tertiary selection list for next year.

Meanwhile, the article presents five helpful information about the selection list:

1. AES and TESAS tertiary scholarships.

2. Stats of Grade 12 students selected to tertiary institutions.

3. Important notes from DHERST.

4. How to identify students on DHERST tertiary selection list.

5. Where to download the tertiary selection list PDF.

2022 tertiary selection listing to be launched on 21.12.2021

The 2022 DHERST TESAS PDF list for continuing students will be available on the DHERST website. Check out these recent posts here.

Related articles

If you want more information details about the Grade 12 selection listing, GPA or scholarship, refer to one of the articles below:

• Grade 12 Online Selection for Higher Education and Exam Results - Differentiated
• How to calculate your Grade 12 GPA using Your Results [Updated].
• Why You Should Know Your GPA (Click here)

2022 selected students on tertiary scholarships

The 2022 Grade 12 Selection list is likely to be in one PDF file (like the past years' lists); and easy to check the selected students to tertiary institutions in the country. 

Last year DHERST (Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology) published the Grade 12 Selection List on the 18th of December. 

The selected students were awarded a government scholarship under two categories. The PNG government's higher education scholarship is called TESAS (the Tertiary Education Scholarship Assistant Scheme).

TESAS is classed into either HECAS (the Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme) or AES (the Academic Excellence Scholarship).

If a student is not awarded one of the government's scholarships, then the student is considered Self-sponsored. 

The numbers of students awarded each scholarship in 2019 - 2021 are given below.

Fact file Grade 12 students selection stats

2021 for 2022 ACADEMIC YEAR

• 31,817 students were nominated by their schools to sit the national exams.
• 26,544 students certified for selection.
• 237 HEI Programs.
• 16,171 Total HEI quota for 2022.
• 10,373 Grade 12 students will NOT be selected for 2022 HEI studies.

2020 for 2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

• 188 secondary and National High schools in PNG
• 32,841 Grade 12 students were nominated to sit for national exams.
• 30, 711 Grade 12 students sat for the Grade.
• Just over 7,000 students were selected to Tertiary Institutions in the country in 2020 for the 2021 academic year.

2019 for 2020 ACADEMIC YEAR

• 27,743 (= *18,318 + **11,792) students registered in DHERST online selection system
• *18,318 students in the national admission pool NOT selected 
• **11,792 (=***9,427 + ****2365) spaces available quota/spaces in higher education institutions (205 programs in HEI)
• ***9,425 Grade 12 students selected to tertiary institutions
• ****2,365 spaces yet to be filled via the national admission pool

2018 for 2019 ACADEMIC YEAR

• AES- 904 Grade 12 Students awarded scholarships under this category 
• HECAS - 3757 Students awarded scholarships under this category 
• SELF-SPONSORED - 3936 had not been awarded a scholarship even they were selected by the selectors. 
• Total students selected to Higher learning institutions in PNG = 8597 

DHERST Selection Key Points

DHERST announced 3 points that selected students to Tertiary institutions should take note of. 

In a press release, the Department of Higher Education said the students whose names appeared on the Grade 12 selection list must take note of the following:

(1) Your personal details contained within your application has been forwarded to the Higher Education Institution which has selected you.

(2) You should expect to receive an admissions offer letter directly from your Higher Education Institution (HEI). The HEI will communicate directly with you to inform you on specific details. 

(3) If your Study Program receives scholarship awards from the National Government, you may be eligible for financial support through the Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS). Your TESAS status is also indicated in this National Selection List. Please log in to the NOAS (apply.dherst.gov.pg) and check MyStatus section any time before the 22nd December 2018 for further details on how to access your scholarship. [DHERST , Press Release 2019]

2022 DHERST tertiary selection list pdf

It can be fiddly to identify a student's name in the PDF selection listing. But, you can use a quick trick to solve this problem. Simply use the 'search' bar on the PDF list. 

The students' names were not on the selection list last year. Presumably, if it is the same this year, students can not use their names when searching. The best detail to use is the student's number on School Leaver's Form (SLF). 

How to quickly find a selected student on the 2022 DHERST tertiary selection pdf list

1. Download the PDF file onto your device

2. Use the search button

3. Type in the student's SLF number

4. Search

5. Confirm the school against SLF #.

6. Confirm your scholarship/fee status.

PDF file listing by SLF number

Grade 12 selected students NOT on tertiary institutions scholarship

It is perhaps important to note that about 50% of the Grade 12 student names on the Grade 12 selection list are NOT awarded a government scholarship (AES or HECAS) last year. 

They are, therefore, classified as self-sponsored students. (Here is a list of ideas about what to do to get a scholarship if you are a self-sponsored student).

But, what if a student's name is completely NOT on the Grade 12 selection list?  Here is what DHERST had to say about it in 2019:

We would like to inform you that your application has now been moved into the NOSS Admissions Pool. 

In the event that a higher education institution was not able to achieve 100 percent yield in the National Selections, your application may be considered from within the NOSS Admissions Pool. Should this happen, please log in to the NOAS (apply.dherst.gov.pg) and check MyStatus section prior to 31st December 2018. 

Also take note that in the event that a selected Grade 12 school leaver does not accept his/her admission offer, your application may also be considered from within the National Admissions’ Pool. Should this happen, please log in to the NOAS (apply.dherst.gov.pg) and check MyStatus section throughout February of 2019. 

If you have not achieved a GPA above 2.0 it may NOT be likely that your application will be considered from within the National Admission Pool. It is therefore highly recommended that you consider upgrading your marks with an intent to re-apply for further studies as a Non-School Leaver. Do not give up![DHERST , Press Release 2019]

Where to download the 2022 Tertiary Selection List

The HEI selection lists for the past years were officially released by DHERST. Last year the list came out on the 18th day of December. 

This year DHERST will release the selection list PDF file on their website