PNG Teachers' Pay Compared to Pacific Island Countries

 Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of any country. They are responsible for imparting knowledge and skills to students, which will help them become successful in their chosen careers. However, despite the importance of their role, many teachers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are paid a low salary compared to their counterparts in other countries. 

In this article, we will examine the salaries of PNG teachers and compare them with those of teachers in other countries. We will also explore what the PNG government can do to reward teachers properly.

How much an average high school teacher in PNG earns

According to the website payscale.com, the average high school teacher in PNG earns between K21,955 and K33,639 per year, depending on their experience and position. 

This is a significantly lower salary compared to teachers in other countries. For instance, in New Zealand, the average salary for a high school teacher is $52,000 (K113,570), while in the United Kingdom, it is £28,000 (K120,900). In Canada, high school teachers earn an average salary of $61,700 (K158,421) per year.

• Read about PNG Public Service Pay Increase 2022 - 2024

• See the last pay increments for teachers here. 

 Factors impacting salaries of teachers in PNG

The low salaries of teachers in PNG can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic situation and the government's budget allocation for education. 

According to the World Bank, PNG has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $2,590 (K5,623) as of 2020. This is lower than the GDP per capita of other countries in the Pacific region, such as:

• Fiji ($5,791), 
• Vanuatu ($3,478), 
• New Caledonia ($43,129), and 
• New Zealand ($43,547). 

As a result, the government have limited resources to allocate to education, especially teachers' salaries, leading to low salaries for teachers.

PNG government's budget allocation for education

Furthermore, the PNG government's budget allocation for education is relatively low compared to other countries in the region. (Note that this looks at the main education budget, excluding the Tuition Fee Free Education Funds)

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in 2019, the government allocated 3.1% of its GDP to education. This is lower than the allocation of other Pacific Island countries, such as 

• Solomon Islands (6.7%), 
• Fiji (5.2%), Vanuatu (4.9%), and 
• New Zealand (6.0%). 

A higher allocation of the budget to education could result in better salaries for teachers, among other improvements.

What can the PNG government do?

To reward teachers properly, the PNG government can take various steps, including:

• increasing the budget allocation for education, 
• providing incentives for teachers, and 
• improving the quality of education. 

A higher budget allocation for education could result in increased salaries for teachers, which can attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession. 

Providing incentives, such as performance-based pay, can motivate teachers to perform better, resulting in better learning outcomes for students.

Improving the quality of education can also lead to better salaries for teachers. When students perform better in national and international assessments, it reflects positively on the quality of education provided by the country. 

The government can improve the quality of education by investing in teacher training, providing resources for schools, and improving the curriculum.

PNG Teachers' Pay Compared to Pacific Island Countries

The salaries of teachers in PNG are lower compared to those in other countries, and this can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic situation and the government's budget allocation for education. 

To reward teachers properly, the government can attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession, resulting in better learning outcomes for students and a brighter future for the country.

In summary, it is clear that the salaries of teachers in Papua New Guinea are comparatively low when compared to those in other Pacific Island countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. 

However, the government can take steps to reward teachers properly, including increasing the budget allocation for education, providing incentives for teachers, and improving the quality of education. 

It is essential for the government to recognize the important role that teachers play in shaping the future of the country and to ensure that they are adequately compensated for their work. 

Sources:

https://www.payscale.com/research/PG/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

https://www.education.gov.pg/

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=PG-FJ-NC-NZ-SB-VU

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?locations=PG-FJ-NC-NZ-SB-VU

https://www.unesco.org/education/indices/education-at-a-glance/report-2019/developing-regions/pacific

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/papuanewguinea/publication/pacific-human-capital-development-a-study-of-skills-shortages-in-the-region

https://www.asiapacific.ca/statistics/data-brief/gdp-capita-current-usd-2018

https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/getting-started/before-you-apply/what-youll-earn/

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

What is IPA - A guide to Investment Promotion Authority Online Services

The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the country's primary agency for promoting and facilitating domestic and foreign investment. Established under the Investment Promotion Act 1992, IPA is responsible for the registration of companies and the promotion of investment in PNG.

In this article, we will explore some of the key features of IPA and how it can help investors looking to do business in Papua New Guinea.

What is IPA?

IPA is a statutory body that operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Its primary function is to promote and facilitate investment in PNG by providing a range of services to investors, including 

• registration of companies, 
• provision of investment information, and
• facilitation of investment approvals.

IPA also works closely with other government agencies, including the Department of Treasury, the Bank of Papua New Guinea, and the Internal Revenue Commission, to promote investment and improve the business environment in the country.

IPA Certificate Download

One of the most important services provided by IPA is the registration of companies. Companies that are registered with IPA are issued with a certificate of incorporation, which is an important legal document that is required for doing business in Papua New Guinea.

Investors can download a copy of their IPA certificate from the IPA website. 

This can be useful for investors who need to provide proof of their company's registration for various purposes, such as opening a bank account or applying for a visa.

PNG IPA Company Extract

In addition to the certificate of incorporation, investors can also obtain a company extract from IPA. 

A company extract provides detailed information about a company, including its 

• registered office address, 
• directors, 
• shareholders, and
• share capital.

This information can be useful for investors who are conducting due diligence on a potential business partner or supplier in Papua New Guinea. 

The company extract can be obtained online through the IPA website.

IPA Online Company Search

The IPA website also provides an online company search facility, which allows investors to search for information about registered companies in Papua New Guinea. 

This can be useful for investors who are looking for potential business partners or suppliers in the country.

The online company search provides basic information about registered companies, such as their name, registration number, and status. 

Investors can also obtain a company extract by clicking on the company name.

IPA Online Login

Investors who are registered with IPA can log in to the IPA website to access a range of services, including the ability to update company details, file annual returns, and apply for investment approvals.

To log in to the IPA website, investors need to have their registration number and password. If investors have forgotten their password, they can request a new one by clicking on the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

How to Use the IPA Portal

The IPA portal provides a range of services for investors, including the ability to register a new company, update company details, file annual returns, and apply for investment approvals.

To use the IPA portal, investors need to first register with IPA and obtain a registration number and password. Once registered, investors can log in to the portal and access the various services.

What is IPA - A guide to Investment Promotion Authority Online Services

The Investment Promotion Authority of Papua New Guinea plays an important role in promoting and facilitating investment in the country.

 Its services, including the registration of companies, provision of investment information, and facilitation of investment approvals, make it an essential resource for investors looking to do business in Papua New Guinea.

The IPA website provides a range of online services that can be accessed by registered investors, including the ability to download IPA certificates, obtain company extracts, and search for registered companies in the country.