Port Moresby | Bulletin PNG
A powerful new partnership is set to transform Papua New Guinea’s prison system, as the PNG Correctional Services (CS) and the Department of Education signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Port Moresby.
The MoU marks a significant step toward integrating education and technical training into the lives of inmates, offering them a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
Acting Correctional Services Commissioner Bernard Nepo and Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra formalized the agreement in a joint signing ceremony. The initiative aims to roll out Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs across all correctional institutions in PNG.
“This is not just a policy document—it’s a life-changing pathway for our inmates,” said Commissioner Nepo.
“By teaching practical, in-demand skills, we’re empowering individuals to become contributing members of society after release.”
Under the new agreement, inmates will have access to hands-on training in fields such as:
- Carpentry
- Construction
- Culinary arts
- Electrical work
- Information technology
These programs are strategically aligned with current job market needs, positioning inmates for better reintegration and employment opportunities post-incarceration.
Dr. Uke Kombra, in a heartfelt speech, emphasized the transformative power of education.
“Education is about building people—not judging their past, but shaping their future,” Kombra said.
“Even if society turns its back on you, education will stand with you to help rebuild your identity and purpose.”
He added that the partnership is part of a long-term vision to ensure that inmates are not left behind but are instead given the tools to thrive once they leave prison life behind.
The program also honors the vision of former CS Commissioner Steven Pokanis, whose early work in 2019 laid the groundwork for this historic initiative.
This MoU sets the stage for a rehabilitation-focused correctional system—a place not just for confinement, but for learning, personal growth, and societal reintegration.
