Last Friday (May 16th) OMEP Australia donated 1,000 picture books (2 x 500) to the Papua New Guinea Education Institute (PNGEI). PNGEI is the country’s oldest teacher training college, located in Port Moresby. It plays a central role in the professional development and training of teachers across Papua New Guinea, offering both in-service and pre-service programs. PNGEI provides a wide range of courses, including diplomas and postgraduate diplomas in school leadership and management, inclusive education, technical and vocational education, early childhood care and education, and subject-specific teaching for primary schools.
PNGEI has an Early Learning Centre, which they hope to become a model centre for the country. PNG has only recently incorporated early childhood education into its education system.
The donated books are already enriching the learning experiences of young children at the PNGEI Early Childhood Centre, where they previously had only a handful of books in their reading corner.
The second set of books will be placed in the new Children’s Centre at PNGEI where teacher education students will run playgroups and afterschool clubs.
