The Madang Provincial Education Director, Mr. Alphonse Igag, has welcomed students, teachers and education stakeholders to the 2026 academic year, calling for full compliance with national education directives as schools prepare to reopen.
Speaking ahead of the new school year, Mr. Igag said all schools in the province must follow instructions issued by Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra to ensure a smooth and well-organized start to classes.
He clarified the process regarding project fees, stating that schools must first identify either a short-term or long-term project, carry out proper costings, and determine the difference between the total project cost and the government-funded project fee.
“That difference can then be shared equally among students,” Mr. Igag said. “However, the amount per student must first be submitted to the Madang Provincial Education Board (PEB) for endorsement before schools can charge it as the parents’ component.”
He stressed that no additional project fee charges should be imposed without official approval from the Provincial Education Board.
Mr. Igag also announced that school administrations, Boards of Governors (BoG), and Boards of Management (BoM) are now required to accept electronic bank deposit receipts issued by banks as proof of school fee payments.
“Only a few schools that are not yet captured by the banking system will continue using manual deposit receipts,” he said.
To assist parents, Mr. Igag noted that Bank South Pacific (BSP) will be open on Saturdays for one month mainly for school fee deposits, making it easier for families to complete payments before classes begin.
As schools prepare to welcome back continuing students and receive new intakes, Mr. Igag expressed optimism for a positive and organized start to the academic year.
“We are anticipating a better start from Monday, 26 January 2026 onwards,” he said. “Let us work together to support education in our province.”
On the issue of 2025 Grade 8, 10 and 12 certificates, Mr. Igag informed schools and parents that the Measurement Services Division will only begin printing certificates starting Monday, 26 January 2026.
In the meantime, he advised students enrolling in new schools for the first time to obtain some form of identification or official document from the schools they attended in 2025 to help with registration at their new schools.
“This will help make the enrollment process smoother while students wait for their official certificates,” he said.
Mr. Igag also took time to acknowledge the passing of four serving teachers in January.
Three of the teachers were from Raikos District, while one was serving in Bogia District. He said the Madang education community is deeply saddened by the loss, especially as schools prepare to resume the academic year.
“I have known some of them at a personal level, and one was even my former student at Papitalai Secondary School in Manus Province in 2002,” Mr. Igag said.
He reflected on the continued loss of educators in recent years.
“We farewelled some in 2025, and now at the start of 2026, some are leaving us for eternity. We will sadly miss their services and the lives they shared with us in the Madang Province education sector.”
Mr. Igag paid tribute to the late teachers by name: Allan, Bill, Carlos and Timothy, thanking them for their dedication and service to education in the province.
“May they rest in peace,” he said.
He ended his message with words of encouragement and blessing for the year ahead, calling on all education stakeholders to work in unity for the benefit of students across Madang Province.
