PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary and Education Vision Launch – JICA Chief Representative’s Remarks

On September 16, 2025, Papua New Guinea celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its Independence, an historic milestone for the nation. The Ministry of Education organized its official celebration on September 11–12 at Butuka Academy in Port Moresby, launching the Education Sector Development Plan (ESDP 2023–2027) and the Papua New Guinea Education Transformation Vision (PNGETV 2075), presenting the future direction of education as part of the Independence Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Education, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra, and other distinguished government officials. Representing development partners, Mr. Hideaki Matsuoka, Chief Representative of JICA PNG Office, delivered congratulatory remarks, expressing deep respect for the Government of PNG and its people for their unwavering efforts in nation-building through education.

In his speech, Mr. Matsuoka emphasized the importance of the “1-6-6 school restructuring reform” (1 year of pre-primary, 6 years of primary, and 6 years of secondary education), the implementation of the Standard-Based Curriculum (SBC), and the development of a qualified teaching workforce. He also highlighted tangible achievements, such as the Education Pathways Program, which has sent outstanding PNG students to the United States, China, India and Fiji, and the successful hosting of the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers in March 2025, showcasing PNG’s leadership in regional education cooperation.

He further stressed that “Education is an investment in the future,” reaffirming JICA’s commitment to supporting PNG’s efforts to provide quality education for all and to ensure that no child is left behind. Moving forward, JICA will continue to work with the Government of PNG and partners to strengthen education reforms, develop human resources, improve curricula, and build a brighter and more prosperous future for Papua New Guinea