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From johnabraham on Noni juice, an export of Niue (Credit: G&A)
Wow, What a Great Site, All of the Health Related Posts Are So Informative for People With Review.
From David Mundua on The beginning of the end of “free education” in PNG?
TFF is a poor policy put forward by the PNC party to lure parents support. TFF policy is responsible for overcrowding in schools, lack of disciple, and other related issues in the schools. It leads to poor performance by students. TFF compromise the quality of Education.
Govt must leave the responsibility of fees to the parents so they become responsible to their kids fees. Govt can subsidise can a certain % of fees.
From Paul Flanagan on Peter O’Neill’s eight years as PNG’s Prime Minister
Great analysis Stephen. I was an O’Neill supporter in his early years. His vision for PNG and early action orientation (such as Taskforce Sweep) really lifted PNG. Implementation and teamwork were key problems. My experience was that he was too ready to listen to convenient but ultimately bad advice – some of it from foreign advisors. As you indicate, he missed making the fall in oil prices an opportunity from adversity to embrace needed policy changes – his current legacy could have been so different. Even on the positive side of the ledger mentioned above, I have some doubts. On tuition-fee free (TTF) education, the K600 million almost certainly could have been better spent in strengthening the training and numbers of teachers, improving education facilities and introducing targeted scholarships. If the measure of TTF success is lifting school enrolments, there are serious doubts whether the policy had any impact on previous trends. Specifically, student enrolments were increasing at some 100,000 per annum from 2004 to 2011. After an initial positive response in 2012, with reports indicating a particularly positive impact for female enrolments, it seems student growth has slowed relative to the pre-TTF period of 2008 to 2010 (figures from PNG's 2015-2019 National Education Plan page 19 Figure 2). For K600 million, probably an education policy failure and just an indirect cash payment to parents. On boosts in aid funding from APEC and from political stability, we probably need more time to tell. There will also be great difficulties in separating any “O’Neill” impact from the broader trends of Western countries increasing financing levels due to concerns about China’s growing influence in the region and the ADB’s general massive step-up in assistance to the Pacific region. Thanks again for a timely and insightful reflection. And of course, Peter O’Neill is still the leader of the PNC which is the largest coalition partner in the new Marape Government – so Devpol’s blogs may still have much more to say about Peter O’Neill! I think there is some wisdom in the view that previous Prime Ministers should not remain in Parliament (whether in PNG or Australia).
From ROKSANA KHAN on What’s missing in the facilities debate
David
I think the rubric you have constructed does go part of the way to "define a change" in your case example "the change" the Australian government agency and their counterpart agency achieves. A number of nuances and more tangible measures are possible by taking a longer-term perspective instead of a 4-year funding and M&E cycle. I am not sure about the right term but "partnership" does not fully capture what is really going on. Partnership assumes there is some equitable exchange of "expertise" or "skills" may be it is actually about "building Government to Government relationships" beyond one that is by DFAT and the emphasis is on 'relationship or friendship'. Many elements of which are evident if one returns 10 years later ! Like the 'good will', "long-term relationships", "respect for the Australian partner agency" and the "value-add" that was provided. These are not easy to measure in time limited evaluations. Please note the views expressed are my personal, I have worked in government and non-government sector in Australia over 20 years and in international development over the last 10 years.
From John Cowan on Solid waste management in Papua New Guinea
Waste management in our homes, communities, Provinces and PNG as a whole needs collective effort. First of all, it has to start from home...
From Terence Wood on Three questions about Australia’s infrastructure promise to Solomon Islands
Thanks Redley, I hope all's good with you. Terence
From Redley Raramo on Three questions about Australia’s infrastructure promise to Solomon Islands
Valuable readings
From Alwyn Chilver on Market systems and social protection approaches to sustained exits from poverty: can we combine the best of both?
Thanks for the kind words. Obviously, the 'good work' to travel down this path is a credit to the many people involved - consultants, DFAT staff, and broader-minded people from both camps... Cheers.
From Gabriel on Through the lens of a seasonal worker
Your story is incredible, my friend!
I wish all the best for you, and may God bless you always so that you can conquer all your dreams!
From Terence Wood on Australia and New Zealand, a tale of two aid budgets
Thanks Croz, I hope all's well with you. Terence
From Ngasmal Lengkubang on Solid waste management in Papua New Guinea
Waste is an ongoing issue in the city and our towns. There is a need for a specific waste management law. The government needs to support the Local Level Governments through annual funds for Waste Management. All towns depends on revenue to keep waste collection services going which is not enough. That's why we see garbage not collected and piled or scattered along roadside, streets etc. The government has to prioritize this to save our future.
From root on Noni juice, an export of Niue (Credit: G&A)