Indigenous education in colonial Papua New Guinea: Australian government policy (1945‐1975)

Abstract

The main focus of the study is education policy issued from “above”: that is, it is largely an examination of the contribution of Canberra officials and politicians towards education for future PNG autonomy and/or independence. It will be argued that Commonwealth policy towards PNG education in the colonial period was limited conceptually by the relatively low priority accorded to PNG affairs by the Australian government, as well as the Commonwealth’s overwhelming emphasis on narrow vocational outcomes for Indigenous people. This meant that educational outcomes vital to successful independence ‐ such as civic awareness and a solid pool of professional workers ‐ were neglected, much to the future cost of PNG as a nation.

Citation

Megarrity, L. (2005), "Indigenous education in colonial Papua New Guinea: Australian government policy (1945‐1975)", History of Education Review, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 41-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/08198691200500009