PNG moments from Blatchford 1963
11 January 2009
Documents
on the development of the PNG education system in 1963 are now available onsite
in The Blatchford Collection [see ASOPA PEOPLE EXTRA at left]. Here are
some of the more interesting extracts…
“The
seeds of widespread compulsory education were sown last week with Education
Director Mr LW Johnson’s announcement Hanuabada had been declared a compulsory
education area for all children born in 1957…” [South Pacific Post, 8
January 1963]
“The
Public Service Commissioner today announced the examination results of the
Public Service Scholarship holders studying for the Queensland Junior
Certificate and NSW Intermediate Certificate. Most of those passing were from
the Department of Education. The names included Kwamala Kalo, Seri Pitoi,
Michael Somare, Tau Boga, Alkan Tololo, Ronald Tovue, Paulias Tonguna, Kila
Onno, Nasson Waninara, Daniel Tenakanai, Thomas Ritako, Rome Kokiva, Noah
Banam, Ronnie Benson and Samson Topatilui.” [Administration Press Statement
No 11, 21 January 1963]
“Graduates
of the first and second ‘E’ Courses are displaying a remarkable degree of
enthusiasm. All intend remaining in the Territory after the period of their
bond expires. The quality of their work varies, but in every case they are
attempting to do something positive. All are planning to improve their academic
status by in-service training assignments, by Matriculation studies or by
courses leading to a University degree. They can form a core of enthusiasts
whose good example can spread to hundreds of other teachers.” [Don Owner,
Chief of Division, teacher Training, February 1963]
“The
report that ‘political independence by 1972 is planned for Papua and New
Guinea’ is sheer speculation by a singularly ill-informed person… We will stay
in Papua and New Guinea as long as the people of the Territory need our help.
No-one other than the residents of the Territory, can tell us when to go… We
have refused to give target dates for political advancement because we respect
the right of the people to choose.” [Paul Hasluck, 9 February 1963]
“KR
McKinnon [Superintendent of Schools, Primary Education] has been awarded a
Harkness Fellowship to attend Harvard University at Boston. His studies will
include language development of children in primitive communities.” [South
Pacific Post, 2 April 1963]
“We
are commencing a period of widest expansion in all fields of Education.
Students are now reaching matriculation level in Territory schools and we are
giving close attention to professional training.” [DM Cleland, TPNG
Administrator, Fourth Camilla Wedgwood Memorial Lecture, 14 May 1963]
“After
fifteen years of muddling and frustration the education system of Papua and New
Guinea seems at last to be in gear and making progress towards a definite goal…
Mr Hasluck has been Minister for Territories for 12 years. Why did he wait
until 1960 or 1961 before making this frontal attack upon village illiteracy?
Mr Hasluck, of course, could not guess that Sir Hugh Foot in 1962 would demand
self-government within five years, or that Soekarno would be turning
handsprings on the western frontier in 1963.” [Pacific Island Monthly, July
1963]
“It
is not desirable to have every school in charge of an expatriate teacher.
Indigenous teachers should be given experience as Head Teachers. The main thing
I am concerned with here is to ensure that promising Papuan and New Guinean
teachers have a chance to develop a sense of responsibility and receive
training in executive positions.” [LW Johnson, Director of Education, 8
November 1963]
“My failure as Minister was that performance
did not match intention and I did not get the Administration of the Territory
to do all that I wanted to do…. When the Administration and the Department of
Territories argued I made up his own mind and had to appear as a dictator to
one or the other…. Many men were appointed to senior positions with little
local knowledge…. Many Australian Government decisions were not getting through
to the officers of the Territory – a gap between decision and action – most of
the trouble was in the Territory. Policy was dispersed at the expense of firm
direction and control. Files weren’t read…. Some sections of the Administration
felt a separateness from Australia and regarded directions from Australia as
being comments made by some outsider rather than as decisions to be put into
effect…. The Administration shifted the blame for its shortcomings on to
Canberra.” [Paul Hasluck, ‘A Time for Building’ on his leaving the post of
Minister for Territories, 18 December 1963]
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