Deadline: 25-Nov-2025
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has announced a new initiative in Papua New Guinea aimed at strengthening the country’s education system and promoting safer, healthier, and more resilient learning environments.
The project will be implemented in the provinces of Morobe, Western Highlands, and Central, with the support of a selected civil society organization partner. The focus is on ensuring learner safety, well-being, and equal opportunities for all children, particularly adolescent girls.
The initiative seeks to enhance education through a combination of social and behavioural change activities, life skills development, and health and nutrition programs. Efforts to prevent violence in schools will be guided by the establishment of school-based guidance and counselling systems. Children and adolescents will take part in awareness and learning activities designed to promote positive behaviour and safer school environments.
In addition to addressing safety, the project will invest in developing relevant life and work skills for young learners. This includes support for the PNG Teen Entrepreneurs Programme, which encourages entrepreneurship and innovation among youth. The initiative will also strengthen school health programs by training health workers and ensuring that students receive essential vaccinations. Nutrition will be another key component, with deworming treatments for all school-aged children, iron and folic acid supplementation for adolescents, and nutrition education promoting healthy food choices and the prevention of obesity.
To enhance resilience and climate adaptation, targeted schools across six provinces will receive support for disaster preparedness and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) improvements. These measures will help schools respond effectively to emergencies and create safer, more climate-resilient environments for students and teachers. Training will be provided to integrate disaster risk management and strengthen emergency preparedness across all education levels.
Finally, the project aims to reinforce education sector coordination and data-driven decision-making within the National Department of Education. A key activity will involve a study on gender and disability gaps in education, providing valuable insights for more inclusive policies and programs.
Through this comprehensive approach, UNICEF’s initiative will not only support immediate improvements in school safety and health but also contribute to the long-term development of a stronger, more equitable education system in Papua New Guinea.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
