Overview

The goal of providing universal access to quality basic education has been on the national agenda since Independence and is captured in significant national policy and planning frameworks such as Vision 2050, the PNG Development Strategic Plan (DSP) 2010-2030, and the Medium-Term Development Plans.  Many reforms have been implemented and substantial resources invested in attempts to ensure that basic education is within reach of all school-aged children. Although there has been significant improvement in indicators concerned with access to education, those concerned with retention, quality of education, and equity have not improved. As a result, PNG did not achieve the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by the target date of 2015.  The Education Research Program (ERP) will link with the Governance and Gender research programs, and will closely collaborate with the National Department of Education.