How to Apply to a PNG Teacher's College to Study in 2024

Want to become a teacher or education officer in PNG? The best pathway is through one of PNG's Teachers' Colleges, but you must have a GPA above the required threshold. 

In this article, PNG insight provides brief information about the 16 teachers' colleges in PNG and how to apply as a school leaver and non-school leaver (NSL).

Update: From 2024, the Higher Education Department, Education Department and Teachers Service Commission have agreed to a HIGHER GPA than 2.4, click here to get the full information.

What is the GPA for Teachers' Colleges in PNG?

The GPA for teachers' colleges in PNG complies with the DHERST (Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology). The threshold was 2.0, but the Department of Education  (which employs and registers teachers) has raised it to 2.4, see the news article.

Also, there are two important factors that can affect your selection to a teachers' college in PNG. 

• Firstly, a threshold GPA is like the borderline - as an applicant you want to have a GPA that is higher than the threshold to increase your chance of being selected. 
• Secondly, your grades should indicate consistency. For example, your selection may be placed in a pool or disregarded if you achieve great marks in most subjects - which are likely to give you a good GPA - but your English and Literature mark is terrible.

There is more to being selected than GPA. A good GPA increases your chance of being selected, but it is not the only determining factor. There is more decision-making involved in the selection process. 

Government scholarship TESAS 

Note that the government scholarship TESAS (Tertiary Education School Assistance Scheme) recommends a GPA of 2.0 or higher. 

You can be on TESAS when entering a teachers' college with a GPA above the threshold, yet if you do not maintain it in your first year, you'll have to go by as a self-sponsored student.

So, it is important to get a GPA above 2.0 and perform consistently across all your subjects in Grade 12 if you want to study at a teachers' college in PNG.

How to apply to a teacher's college as a school leaver?

Applying to a teacher's college as a Grade 12 school leaver is easy. You'll have to do that at your school with the help of your teacher through the http://apply.dherst.gov.pg login portal.

Your school's deputy academic and class patron will assist you in making your choices. 

A top tip here is to make teachers' college your first choice if you want to become a teacher in PNG. 

How to apply to a teacher's college as a non-school leaver?

Non-school leavers are the Grade 12 students who completed school in the last five years or those who upgraded their marks at FODE and want to study at a college in PNG. 

If you are an NSL, you'll have to apply directly to the college you wish to study. It will have the latest application form, school fee info and other admission details you need to know before applying.

Here is a link to help you prepare.

How to check your name in Teachers' College Selection 2024?

The DHERST selects the Grade 12 school leavers based on the choices on the online application portal. It also compiles non-school leavers selection lists for the colleges.

The teachers' college selections for 2024 will come out with the respective heading - school leavers (for the current Grade 12) and non-school leavers (for those who have completed Grade 12 in the last five years)

Also, check to make sure you are on TESAS. If you are not on TESAS, you will be a SELF-SPONSORED student.

How Many Teachers' Colleges are in PNG?

Wondered how many teachers' colleges are in PNG? There are 16 recognised teachers' colleges in the country that take in students yearly. (Note that several teachers' colleges are not recognised by the Department of Higher Education, DHERST)

Also, the colleges are located in each of the regions. Check the college that is closer to where you are.

1. MOMASE

Balob Teachers College

Madang Teachers College

Rev Maru Teachers College

DWU St Benedicts Kaindi Teachers College

2. HIGHLANDS

Enga Teachers College

Dauli Teachers College 

Simbu Teachers College

Holy Trinity Teachers College

Southern Highlands Teachers College

Melanesian Nazarene Teachers College

3. NEW GUINEA ISLANDS

Gaulim Teachers College

Sonoma Adventist Teachers College

DWU OLSH Kabaleo Teachers College

St Peter Channel College of Secondary Teacher Education

4. SOUTHERN

PNG Education Institute

Sacred Heart Teachers College BOMANA

School leavers and non-school leavers info

Important disclaimer:

Note that this is not a formal advisory from any teachers' college in PNG. It is only a piece of general information based on insights on education & development information this blog has provided for over 10 years.

This information points you in the right direction as you make your choices and anticipate your selection.

Teaching Service Fixation Agreement (2014-2016) - PNG Public Service Pay Scale

New teachers and those who do not know how you are paid, you are paid up Scales of 1 - 12 (TS1 – TS12) and across Grades 1 - 7. In other words, you move up the Pay Scale and along the Pay Grade. It can happen simultaneously or one at a time.

Salary Fixation Agreement 2014 – 2016 Teachers Pay Scale and Pay Grade

Click on the link to see the latest pay increase for PNG Public Servants 2022 - 2024

PNG Public Service Pay Scale

A review of teachers’ salaries conducted in 2013 agreed to a 33% rise in base pay over three years, 2014 - 2016. The increment came at the back of an increase in the number of students and teachers increased workload; as well as the increasing prices of goods and services. The increment was, in fact, an agreement set in stone and effective as of the first pay of 2014. 

By now all teachers, from preprimary to primary and secondary schools, should be paid the agreed salaries at 2016 rates.

An additional Service Allowance of 10% was also accorded to teachers and matured in 2016. This additional increase means that between (and inclusive of) 2014 and 2016 teachers’ total salaries (TOTAL SALARY = BASE SALARY + SERVICE ALLOWANCE) increased by 43%. 

Teachers, perhaps it is important to know your pay scale and pay grade. Knowing the two will help you to determine whether you are receiving the right salary or not. The diagram shows the increase – take particular note of 2016 salaries.

#PNG teachers' salary scale: by now all teachers nationwide should be receiving the correct pay package according to the agreement. pic.twitter.com/nVVCBP9NdY

— PNG Insight (@PNG_Insight) May 27, 2017

PNG teachers pay increase

The Teaching Service is now accountable to teachers after the three years, 2014-2017. The TSC has got to do its work right. At the moment, two questions needed answers from the commission, TSC:

1. Are the teachers paid at 2016 pay grade?

This is a serious question and only teachers and school administrators know whether they received the promised increase or not. Make it your agenda in school staff meetings. Confirm your pay scale and pay grade. Make sure you are paid your dues. 

If you are sitting on a confirmed position (by this I mean a confirmed pay scale and pay grade); and not paid the right amount, raise it immediately and asked for a back payment.

Note: Do not waste your time if you are acting on a substantive level. Do not try to claim at that pay scale as you will not be entertained.

2. When is another review due?

According to the Teaching Service Fixation Agreement 2014-2016, another review was due on the 1st of January 2017. I hope TSC has not gone to sleep on it. 

This review has to be considered urgent. It is already overdue. The TSC, Education Secretary and Education Minister (in the new government after the June elections) must make it their number one priority. 

Having said that, the TSC commissioner and Education Secretary should initiate the review NOW. They shouldn’t wait. Another 3-year review (2018-2020) has to be swiftly done and submitted to the new education minister as soon as s/he is appointed to the role in the new government. 

All in all, increasing the price of goods and services and overcrowding in classrooms; capped off with a mountain of work, teachers deserve another pay increase. TSC must think right – take the lead, and urgently initiate a review of teachers’ salaries, service allowance and leave entitlements.

PNG MPs Continue to Receive Massive Salary Increases Since Sir Michael Somare's Time

Over the years, politicians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been receiving staggering pay increases, with no signs of slowing down. 

Sir Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister

The trend started during Sir Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister, and within just seven years, parliamentarians would be enjoying an astounding 82% increase in their salaries alone.

It all began in November 2010 when Sir Michael Somare's government unanimously approved a whopping 52% pay rise, just before the Christmas holidays. 

This unprecedented increase set a new standard for politicians' salaries in PNG.

Increase for politicians' salaries in PNG

The trend continued in November 2013, when Puka Temu, the then Public Service Minister in Peter O'Neill's government, announced another pay raise of 7%, which was backdated to January 1, 2013, and paid to every Member of Parliament just before their Christmas holiday. 

But that's not all - the minister also declared a separate increase of 7.5% and 2.5% to be paid from 2014 to 2016 to every public sector worker, including the MPs.

To clarify, the 2013 increases were in three parts: 

• a one-time payment of 7%,
• a 3-year increase of 7.5% of the actual gross salary, and
• a 2.5% of the average salary. 

The average salary is calculated by dividing the combined salaries of all earners by the number of earners.

Staggering 30% Spike in MPs Pay

The increase means that every public servant, including MPs, would receive a 7.5%/2.5% increase in instalments over a 3-year period from 2014 to 2016. 

If the government stays true to its promise, public servants would have seen a staggering 30% spike in their annual pay by 2016, equivalent to a 10% increment every year.

The impact of these increases is significant. 

By the end of 2016, the annual salaries of PNG's politicians would have nearly doubled compared to what they earned in 2010.

PNG MPs Salaries

• Prime Minister earns over K364,000
• Speaker of Parliament earns over K296,000
• Deputy Prime Minister earns over K271,000
• Opposition Leader earns over K271,000 (same as Deputy Prime Minister)
• Government Ministers earn over K211,000
• Other MPs earn over K106,000
• Provincial Governors earn over K74,000

These amounts are exorbitant and raise questions about the morality of such increments. 

The salaries earned by politicians are more than enough to live with their people and serve their constituencies. 

However, it appears that they want even more to sustain a lifestyle elsewhere, away from their localities.

The trend of massive pay increases for politicians in PNG, which started during Sir Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister, continues to persist. 

These unprecedented raises have resulted in exorbitant salaries for politicians, raising concerns about the moral implications of such increments. 

In conclusion, as the salaries of politicians skyrocket, it's crucial to ensure that public funds are being used responsibly and in the best interest of the people of Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea Teachers' Association Must Stand Up For Teachers Without Media Bashing

There is no need to go on strike yet. Teachers from Elementary to Secondary schools in each province have reps. They form the PNGTA. There needs to be a collaborative effort from them to fight for teachers' remuneration and benefits. 

Papua New Guinea Teachers' Association

Unlike before, Facebook (and access to it) has changed the way Papua New Guineans communicate. PNGTA (Papua New Guinea Teachers' Association) Chairman and reps from 22 provinces should, first, create an avenue for discussion. FB would be a good place to start. 

Papua New Guinea Teachers' Association to communicate with teachers' reps

They must stay in touch with teachers - communicate: find out if they have received their pay increase, Boarding and Duty allowances...etc. They have to have facts and figures at their fingertips. 

That information must be presented to the National Department of Education, Teachers' Service Commission and Education Minister on regular basis - this is their job. They MUST do that as well as 'media-bashing'. 

PNGTA must fight for teachers

The PNGTA must pursue legal challenges to ascertain irregularities in teachers' entitlements if they have to. They must ensure that the govt remains true to its PROMISES of pay increases. 

As I posted some time ago, by 2016 every public servant will have realised a 30% increase in their salaries - this includes the teachers. 

Recently, there is another increase in PNG Public Servants' pay (2022-2024) but the poor teachers will have to find out exactly what they are getting.

PNGTA has to ensure that the government does what it says

That implies that the PNG government has made a promise to pay the increase. So, PNGTA has to ensure that the government does what it says. If teachers are not receiving the increase or other entitlements over a year, they have to determine why. 

Finally, the onus is on PNGTA and teachers' reps in each province. If the association feels that there is a need to call for strike action,  by all means, they must do. 

But, going on strike (or pretending to go on strike by going to the media like the PNGTA chairman did) is not the best way forward.

PNG Teachers Delayed Salaries and Allowances Amidst MPs' Salary Increases

Many Papua New Guineans eagerly anticipate the holiday season, but for some public servants, such as teachers, it can be a challenging time.

In a Facebook group called "PNG Teachers" with over 2500 members, teachers express their struggles with delayed leave fares and boarding/duty allowances, which are supposed to be mandatory entitlements. 

These delays have become a chronic issue that occurs every year, leaving teachers frustrated and struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season.

See the latest pay increase for teachers, click here

Disparity in Salary Increases Compared to MPs

In 2013, when Dr Puka Temu announced a 7.5% salary increase for members of parliament (MPs) along with a concurrent 2.5% increase until 2016, many teachers were hopeful that similar increases would be implemented for public servants. 

However, while MPs received their 7% increase backdated to January 1st of 2013 and continue to enjoy further increases, there are doubts about whether other public servants, including teachers, received their promised increments. 

This disparity in salary increases has left teachers feeling neglected and undervalued.

Challenges with Pay Grade and Pay Slips

Another challenge faced by teachers is the lack of transparency in determining their pay grades. Many teachers, especially new graduates and those in remote locations, do not receive pay slips and may not even know what one looks like. 

Salaries are calculated by adjusting to a midpoint salary, which has increased over the years, but it remains unclear whether teachers have actually received the promised increments for 2013 and 2014. 

This lack of clarity in pay structure and increments adds to the frustration and uncertainty among teachers.

Call for Action and Accountability

Teachers' representatives from the PNG Teachers Association need to highlight these issues and hold the government accountable for their promises. 

It is crucial to address the delays in leave fares and boarding/duty allowances, ensure that teachers receive their pay slips and that the promised salary increments are reflected in their pay. 

With the recent salary increases for MPs, there is a pressing need to ensure that teachers, who play a vital role in educating the nation's youth, are not left behind and are fairly compensated for their hard work and dedication.

As everyone prepares for the holiday season, many teachers are facing challenges with delayed salaries, allowances, and a lack of transparency in the pay structure. 

While MPs have received significant salary increases, teachers feel neglected and undervalued. It is imperative for the government to fulfil their promises and ensure that teachers are fairly compensated for their crucial role in shaping the nation's future. 

Final Words PNG Teachers Delayed Pay and Allowances

In conclusion, teachers' representatives must advocate for their rights and hold the government accountable for addressing these issues promptly. 

It is time to prioritize the welfare of teachers and provide them with the support and recognition they deserve.