Dr John Pokana

Postcard from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

“When I returned home to PNG after my UNE studies I joined the National Department of Education, first acting and then as the Director for Inclusive Education, where I worked for seven years. My first greatest achievement was completing a major review of the National Special Education Policy and Guidelines and developing a 10-year Strategic Implementation Plan (2020–2029). My second was completing post-doctoral study.

Since then, I have been the Principal Appointment Advisor with the Teaching Service Commission of the Ministry of Education. Here, I initiated a pilot project for inclusion in PNG schools, beginning with those with a visual impairment and followed by other disabilities. The New Zealand Government, through the Maori Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provided development aid for the introduction of an inclusive model in three PNG provinces. Thanks to a New Zealand consortium (Christian Blind Mission – CBM) and grant of NZ$1.6 million, this model is now being rolled out in three provinces as a pilot project and will eventually be extended to PNG schools in all 22 provinces. This means the government, as well as development partners including DFAT (AusAID), will fund the projects.

After the project is completed I intend to achieve my goal of becoming an Associate Professor/Professor. I also want to invite UNE to help achieve my next project – to deliver online education to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. In this way, I can assist the children, young people and adults of Bougainville to build their capacities and prepare for self-determination. I thank my PhD supervisors (Adjunct Professor Dr Thomas Maxwell, Dr David Paterson, and Dr Charles Kivunja), UNE, and above all God Almighty for his manyfold wisdom and for helping me to achieve these milestones from humble beginnings.”