1. East Asia & Pacific UNGEI at the country level: Papua New Guinea UNICEF EAP RFP November 12, 2007 UNGEI GAC Paris

2. 2 Basic education in PNG Situation A long way to achieve Universal Primary Education (UPE) and gender equality  Gross enrollment rates: 75%, lowest in the region*  Net enrollment rate in province as low as 30%  Disparity in GER: Male: 80%, Female: 70%*  Reaching Grade 6: 54.8%** Reasons for not attending school and drop-out (particularly for girls) School fees and other costs for education Family preference for boys ’ education and extra household chores for girls Early marriage and pregnancy (and lack of support for girls to go back to school) Inappropriate school infrastructure, particularly lack of water and sanitation facilities Negative cultural beliefs and practices Teachers ’ negative attitude towards girls Safety concerns to/from and inside school *EFA report 2007 (figures from 2004) ** UNICEF MTR Report (2005)

3. 3 Ongoing initiatives for achieving UPE with gender equality UPE Plan  UPE Task Force  Information gap study  Explore School Fee Abolition possibilities  SWAp preparation with key partners: AusAID, EU, NZAid, WB, UNESCO, UNICEF Fast Track Initiative

4. 4 Addressing gender equality: education Gender Equity in Education Policy  Curricula  Teacher training, Teaching and learning  Assessment Child Friendly School Initiative  School fees – “Ake Pile” community contribution  Security, safety to/from and at school – community, school board  Communication, teachers’ attitude – pre-service and in-service teacher training  Water and sanitation facilities  School-based counseling  Girls’ education community advocates  Girls’ clubs and school based activities

5. 5 Addressing gender equality: cross-sector United Nations Country Programme 2008-2012 Education (UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNAIDS) Intermediate Outcome for Education By 2012, DOE will have established and put in place mechanisms and strategies to achieve UPE and gender equity in elementary and primary education at the national, provincial and school levels, in partnership with other Government institutions, provinces, churches and development partners.  DOE’s capacity strengthened through UPE Task Force and UPE strategic plan  Management and coordination of donor support through SWAp  Monitoring and evaluation  ECCD national policy and strategy plan Gender (UNDP, UNFPA, UNIFEM, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNESCO) Intermediate Outcome for Gender By 2012, women and girls experience fewer gender inequalities in PNG.  Women in leadership (# of women in decision making roles in public and private sector increased by 10%)  Reduction of gender-based violence  Increased education participation by girls

6. 6 Challenges and needs in achieving UPE with gender equality Enhance awareness and commitment on gender issues in education among the government departments and development partners Update and operationalize Gender Equity in Education Policy, Appointment of DOE Gender Focal Point(s) Ensure that gender issues are considered and reflected in the UPE, FTI plans Develop sound costing and financing plans for UPE (school fee abolition feasibility) Improve gender equality in education administration system, particularly in the decision making roles Introduce alternative learning opportunities for out-of-school children, youths, and adults Develop effective school models and core interventions such as Child Friendly School Build strategic alliance among partners to address gender issues within and outside of education sector at the national, provincial and local levels Communication strategies for behavioral change to improve ‘cultural’ practices that reinforce gender inequality

7. 7 Calls for UNGEI partners’ support - some potential areas - Awareness raising and advocacy on gender in education in PNG for the government and development partners (policy, GFP) Communication strategies, documentation and dissemination Alternative learning opportunities for out-of-school children, youths, and adults Sharing of international experience on effective school models and core interventions Strategic alliance building among partners to address gender issues within and outside of education sector Technical and financial support for PNG education