In a step towards further innovating education in Papua New Guinea, first-year students at St Peter Chanel Catholic School of Secondary Teacher Education in East New Britain were excited to receive personal tablets in their 5th week of classes. While students already have access to the internet through their phones and the college’s ICT lab, these devices will provide greater flexibility, allowing them to conduct in-depth research, organise their studies more efficiently, and access a wide range of interactive learning materials in science and mathematics.

For many students, learning scientific concepts in English can be challenging. Principal, Dr Alfred Tivinarlik, believes the tablets will help bridge this gap by providing students with engaging digital resources. “The internet allows students to explore concepts in new ways. They can also use the tablets to create engaging lessons when teaching children,” he said. The devices will also help students develop digital literacy skills—an essential asset in modern education.

The initiative commenced last year, 2024, with the distribution of the Samsung Galaxy Tablets to all students in each Year group of students and for this year, to the first year and the returning students. The initiative is supported by Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA), which has worked alongside Chanel since 2014 when the institution started. The program’s aim is to enhance student learning. VSA staff were on hand to help students set up their devices, ensuring they could connect to online resources. The tablets also enable students to collaborate more easily on assignments and develop lesson plans, strengthening their teaching skills.

For many young Papua New Guineans, access to digital resources is limited. Initiatives like this not only improves education but also opens doors to new opportunities. With the world rapidly changing, equipping future teachers with technology ensures they can pass on valuable knowledge to the next generation. As students at St Peter Chanel embrace this new way of learning, they take an important step toward becoming skilled, confident educators who will shape the future of Papua New Guinea.