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While are a number of success indicators of the TFF policy as identified in the report, there are so many other problems also associated with the implementation of this policy. Some of them are discussed in the report and others include the following: • There wasn’t a review done on the Provincial Education Act (PEA) for each Province which encompasses among other principles the use of national and provincial grants to schools and how the TFF policy will be implemented. Previously, Provincial Education Board (PEB) determines much of the funding to schools in each Province depending on the needs on the ground, however, under the TFF policy, funding is provided directly to the schools bypassing PEB and PEA, so accountability which previously provided by PEB on school funding as per the PEA can no longer be in effect. • When there is no or limited accountability at the schools, the possibility of mismanagement of funds is very high. So far there have been reported cases of TFF funds being misused or thieved. • Under the TFF, funding is provided on the basis of enrollment list received by the National Education department, and not on the basis of needs and evidence about a particular school. The paradox is that, a school with big enrollment list does not imply that it requires huge funding to operate, or a school with small enrollment list has less problems and needs less funding. When you go down to the schools and see the situations there, it is totally different and much critical in the remote schools. • When the TFF policy was introduced, no detail preparation and induction provided to the schools on how to plan, manage, use and report on the funding. Teachers are trained to teach, not to be budget officers or accountants. School board of managements is a mere part time role played by local leaders with not so much aptitude on managing funds. Either a full time non-teaching staff is employed to do the book keeping and the procurement side of school needs or outsource such role which will involve a cost. Previously these roles were played by staff at the PEB office. • The TFF policy is interested in sending money directly to the schools, and not investing in upskilling the teachers at the schools to absorb the increase demand in the school as a result of the TFF policy. Teaches are stressed out with increase enrollment and demand for resources and teachers time, however, with better upskilling, teachers can meet the demand by delivering quality teachings. • Also as pointed out in the report, the needs in the schools and especially in the remote school, the cost of delivering a single improvement like a new classroom will cost more in the freight of building materials than the cost of the new classroom itself. That’s why PEB plays a key role in the management of TFF Policy. Thank you

Thank you for your further comments, I usually followed your PNG socio-political and economic commentaries over the last few years and I read the useful insights and matter of facts information you articulated on PNG. We also have INA, NRI and others that offer useful suggestions and warnings. However, some people in PNG were ignorant and complacent in their own little world and over-indulged in their amusement that not providing the right leadership in governing the institutions and the resources of the country. As you expressed, some act of personality that bluntly restricted you from traveling to PNG. It is personalities that sometimes make people and institutions work different in PNG. Thank you again for the invaluable commentaries.

As members of the rich world, we must be increasingly aware of the exploitative practices that are sometimes employed in relation to migrant workers. The establishment of supplier codes of practice such as GlobalGAP are an important part of a fair free world economy. That New Zealand has ten times more suppliers who have signed up to this code than Australia is worrying and embarrassing – Australia is well behind on strategies to maintain ethical practice. We as consumers should avoid buying from or investing in the big supermarket chains that use unethical practices, as <a href="https://www.australianethical.com.au/news/why-we-dont-invest-coles-or-woolworths/" rel="nofollow">Australia Ethical Investment explains</a>. It is also important to consider what these opportunities represent for a labour surplus country? Timor-Leste participates in the seasonal workers program with Australia, and they also have an agreement for a temporary workers scheme allowing young Timorese to go for 3-5 years’ work in South Korea. Research into the experiences of young Timorese workers returning from South Korea found that the income and remittances were only part of the benefits sought by workers. These workers were looking to develop their skills and knowledge to develop their own businesses when they returned to Timor-Leste, particularly in relation to improved agricultural practices. A well run program which supports the workers not only while overseas but also on their return can have substantial benefits for the local economy, and for the goodwill towards the recipient country.

i totally agree

Hi John Thanks for the comment. I agree that people and personalities are a key element of social and economic events. In the late 1990s in PNG, the movement from Chan to Skate to Morauta reveal the important impacts that personalities can have - this is why leadership is so crucial. And I also agree that there can be a big gap between policies and implementation, and the interests of those promoting and implementing particular policies will have important impacts. However, the study of economics, politics and history can also draw out patterns that help link personalities, illuminate drivers behind individual and group actions, and contain lessons for moving forward. For example, an over-valued exchange rate, or a massive budget deficit, will have relatively predictable impacts on PNG's well-being no matter who is in power. This is why in several articles on the Development Policy blog I've argued for a faster depreciation of the Kina, action to implement a credible medium-term fiscal policy, greater emphasis on the agriculture and tourism sector (but in sensible ways - not through sticks such as import barriers but through carrots such as a better business environment) and strengthening institutional linkages. PS And I would like to talk more to people in PNG - it is just that one of those personalities has told me that I'm banned from the country. Thanks for your comments again. Cheers. Paul

AJ & PF, The economic down turn and further unpredictable economic for PNG, does not really require a mathematical solution from an academic analysis or look into the past (1990s) experiences to improvise on the current turbulence. The turn of events in the political and economic arena was different in the past than current situation, including people involved in the decision making in the past and current. Therefore, if you look carefully at the situation now, there is some significant element of personality and unilateral influences involved in the systems and institutions of governance which triggered the unexpected events. PNG economic and social development policies are just abstract that exists on paper, to drive it will be the mechanisms, and these mechanisms are people, and the people are group and individual personalities. Therefore, when these goes wrong, it is where the crux of the down turn of the economy unfold. Talk to some people in PNG and they will tell you what it is all about.

There are at times when some one will actually speak his/her mind through written records like the Sir J's memoir of his life in PNG politics. Australian can learn something from his past experiences in politics with its current relationships with PNG and current leaders of the country. Understanding the relationships with leaders in politics from the past and current PNG will do a lot/go a long way in shaping and improving development and trade policy between Australia & PNG. Personality plays a key role in the impact of policy relationship so understanding PNG leaders.

I think there are other issues, of critical importance, not recognised here. A child of five, abducted from her front yard, taken for the night and raped. Manages to get away when the rapists went to sleep. Walks 6 kilometres home. Is taken to the hospital because of her injuries. Police are involved. Inadequate medical examination - e.g. she has complained of penetration of her anus, but no medical examination. No real records. Inadequate police record taking. It gets to court, and the magistrate finds, because the records are in English (from the hospital and the police), that the child could not have given this evidence. Case dismissed. This means better magistrate training; better police training and better medical training to ensure judicial processes are used to protect a child from harm and find perpetrators guilty so they do not repeat their behaviours on other children.

Your description of the current situation is accurate and deplorable. However, I would advise against referring to the collection of project fees as being 'illegal'. Just because the national Department of Education says that something should not be done does not necessarily make the doing of it is illegal. Provinces that have their own Education Acts, of which EHP is one, can make their own decisions on administrative matters. Education functions are, by law, highly decentralised such that the national government retains little control other than curriculum at the elementary, primary, high and secondary levels. To add further confusion to the situation school Boards of Management/Governors also have legally devolved powers to make management decisions. It would be beneficial to teachers and parents it some legal eagle would take up a pro bono case at the high court for a clear statement as to where the power lies on such matters under the existing Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments, the National Education Act and Provincial Education Acts.

I agree with you Carmen. I also love PNG. I am a Filipino and went to Port Moresby for a two month vacation as a tourist and I found it very nice. The number one thing that I love is no traffic compared to here in the Philippines. But there's one thing I would like to know, can a Filipino couple or any expats get married in Port Moresby? And any requirements needed? Thanks.

I appreciate this article because I was fortunate to work with a couple of farms in New Zealand and farmers have shared the same sentiments that during their peak seasons the existing domestic labour market is not always enough to satisfy their market requirements therefore the RSE program provides a much a very critical relief to an extent by meeting that shortage. As stated delivering on time with premium quality is always an important going concern for farmers for market demands both the export and local. Hence RSE is as critical to the New Zealand economy as it is to nations involved with New Zealand on the program. As a Papua New Guinean I would like to see my government proactively pursue and tap into this labour export market at ministerial level with the New Zealand government bilaterally through a similiar quota system like everyone else so we can mutually benefit from this. At this moment New Zealand has the most potential and willingness compared to Australia. Thank you.

Liam Fox of Radio Australia provides a good footnote for this item <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/nauru-'notes'-contentious-criticisms-in-un-rights/7267814" rel="nofollow">here</a>.