Question

What are the major changes between 3+6+4 and 1+6+6 education structures in our education system in papua new guinea

Answer 1

In Papua New Guinea, the education system has undergone significant changes over the years, notably transitioning from the 3-6-4 structure to the 1-6-6 structure. Here are the major changes between these two educational frameworks:

### 1. **Structure of Education Levels**

- **3-6-4 Structure**:
- **Primary Education**: 3 years of early education (prep) followed by 6 years of primary education.
- **Secondary Education**: 4 years of secondary school.
- **Tertiary Education**: Typically follows after secondary education, often at universities or colleges.

- **1-6-6 Structure**:
- **Elementary Education**: 1 year of preparatory education (elementary).
- **Primary Education**: 6 years of primary schooling.
- **Secondary Education**: 6 years of secondary schooling, usually divided into two cycles (3 years of junior secondary and 3 years of senior secondary).

### 2. **Early Childhood Education Focus**

- The **1-6-6 structure** emphasizes early childhood education more systematically by introducing a preparatory year, which is intended to better prepare younger children for formal schooling.

### 3. **Duration and Transition Between Levels**

- In the **3-6-4 system**, students transition from primary to secondary after 6 years, while in the **1-6-6 system**, there’s an extended secondary education period, allowing for a more gradual progression with a better transition from primary to secondary education.

### 4. **Curriculum Development**

- The **1-6-6 system** has led to more extensive curriculum development to support the longer duration of secondary education, placing greater emphasis on academic and vocational subjects to cater to a wider array of student interests and career paths.

### 5. **Educational Outcomes**

- The **1-6-6 structure** is designed to improve educational outcomes by providing more time for in-depth learning and ensuring that students are better prepared for tertiary education or the workforce.

### 6. **Accessibility and Inclusiveness**

- The shift aims to enhance accessibility and inclusiveness in education, ensuring that more children can complete their education cycle before transitioning to higher education or vocational training.

### 7. **Evaluation and Assessment**

- Changes in the evaluation and assessment methods have been instituted to align with the longer durations of schooling under the 1-6-6 structure, allowing for continuous assessment and feedback throughout a student’s educational journey.

### Conclusion

The transition from the 3-6-4 structure to the 1-6-6 system in Papua New Guinea reflects an effort to enhance educational access, quality, and relevance to improve the overall education landscape. Each of these changes represents an adaptation to the evolving needs of the population and the global educational standards to better equip students for the future.