Pagelio admits to OBE flaws

ACTING Education secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio has admitted to flaws in the reformed education system, saying the solutions are provided in the schools learning and improvement programme (SLIP), The National reports.
He told teachers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, that he had heard their grievances and was aware that the outcomes-based education (OBE) concept had brought about problems with infrastructure, logistics and overcrowding in classrooms.
Pagelio was speaking during the launching of vehicles for standards and guidance officers last Friday.
He said the Education Department had begun setting up school libraries, distributing students and teachers' books, implementing the technical and vocational education and training  (TVet) programme with the allocation of K11 million and setting up community colleges.
Pagelio said the purchase of vehicles and the commitment to build houses for the standards and guidance officers were necessary.
He said five houses for the officers would be built at the Pagelio village in Kagamuga.
Another 200 houses would be built throughout the country over the next 10 years.
The department was allocated K30 million in this year's budget and had submitted a K40-million proposal for next year's budget.
Local councillor John Wats also suggested the setting up of a university in Western Highlands.
He said land would not be an issue because locals were willing to give away their land for education.