Teaching Service Commission restores council to strengthen education oversight

The Teaching Service Commission has reactivated its Teaching Council, 13 years after it was shelved due to unpaid allowances for its members.

The council, initially established in 2012, had remained inactive for more than a decade. Its reactivation now positions the TSC to strengthen its policy enforcement efforts nationwide through the council’s members.

TSC Chairman Samson Wangihomie said reviving the council was crucial to enable the commission to fully deliver on its mandate.

“The council will greatly assist us by advocating on behalf of the Teaching Service Commission,”

Wangihomie said. “They will be present in provinces, and we will provide them with all necessary circulars, policies, and directives so they can reinforce them in their respective locations and capacities.”

Eleven of the 17 council members were officially sworn in today, with leadership roles for six others to be conferred at a later date.

The council is chaired by Wangihomie and includes representatives from churches, educational institutions, and the Department of Education across the country. Of the 17 members, five are women who will contribute to advancing teacher welfare and education development nationwide.

The newly sworn-in members are Paul Ainui, Collette Modagai, Joyce Tepu, Aloysius Rema, Dorothy Siep, Doreen Mandari, Paula Bomai, Willie Gare, Jim Yawane, Daniel Suan, Moses Modakewau, John Maliaki, Julie Mark, Alois Kinol, Tania Ururu, and Henry Apo.

The members pledged their commitment to supporting the council’s work in improving the teaching profession and education system across Papua New Guinea.

Chairman Wangihomie also extended his appreciation to those who accepted the call to serve.

“I thank each of you for accepting the nomination and stepping forward to be part of this important body for teachers and education in our country,” he said.