Student and teacher transfers in the National Capital District will not be allowed in 2024

Schools in the National Capital District will not be allowed to accept any transfer of teachers and students into the National Capital District school system next year.

The Education Services Division in NCD resolved to making this decision as overcrowding in classrooms not only in Port Moresby but throughout the country remains a huge challenge.

First Assistant Secretary, Peter Kants says, "classroom overcrowding has been a legacy issue in the country for many years but the issue will be seriously looked into at the start of the 2024 academic year in the National Capital District. "

For the last 20 years, the number of students in a classroom has gone up to 80.

The selections for Grades 9 and ten will be done this year conforming to the national minimum standard of only 45 students in a classroom.

Classroom numbers will only be increased to fifty five if there are a high number of students who score above the cut-off mark after examinations.

The school Boards of management who have always been responsible for student enrolment have had that responsibility taken away from them due to abuse. The Division of Education will now be responsible for enrolments where the requirement will be to fill in a form with supporting documents stating reasons for transfer and enrolment.

"Those parents with genuine reasons that enroll in NCD will be considered. But again we are also asking parents to think twice about the transfer and also consider private institutions" Mr. Kant said.

Teachers, head teacher and deputy having the intension to transfer to NCD will only be official with the letter of appointment that will highlight key duties and responsibilities of a teacher. The NCD Education Division must be informed through the query of vacancies prior to applying for transfer.