Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reform in the financing of higher education in Papua New Guinea

  • Published:
Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The particularities of history, culture, economy and politics of Papua New Guinea and similar Pacific island and other developing nations place strains upon the formulation and implementation of reform in the financing of higher education (and of education in general). There has been progress in reducing unit costs, with favourable implications for the rate-of-return that links higher educational costs and benefits. Funding constraints continue to elicit calls for reform of higher educational financing and for increased student contributions. Failure to communicate human capital analysis and policy implications for improving efficiency, access, and equity in higher education have hindered reform. The analysis focuses on policy implementation of reform in the financing of higher education in Papua New Guinea, and concludes in favour of a shift in financing away from institutions and toward students.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG). Quarterly Economic Bulletin, Port Moresby (various issues).

  • Bray, M. (1986). ‘Student loans for higher education: the Hong Kong experience in international perspective’, Higher Education 15, 343–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Planning Office (CPO) (1976). Post-Independence National Development Strategy. Waigani: Government of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commission for Higher Education of Papua New Guinea (CHE) (1986). Higher Education Plan: A Strategy for Rationalisation, 1986–1990. Waigani: Commission for Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • CHE (1989a). ‘Annual survey of institutions of higher education in Papua New Guinea, 1987: Part A - Enrolments’. Waigani: Commission for Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • CHE (1989b). ‘Annual survey of institutions of higher education in Papua New Guinea, 1988: Part A - Enrolments’. Waigani: Commission For Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • CHE (1990a). National Higher Education Plan, June 1990. Waigani: Commission for Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • CHE (1990b). ‘Annual survey of institutions of higher education in Papua New Guinea, 1989: Part A - Enrolments’. Waigani: Commission for Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • CHE (1990c). ‘Computer printout for 1988 staffing for declared higher education institutions’. Waigani: Commission for Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conroy, J. D. (1970). ‘The private demand for education in New Guinea: consumption or investment?’, The Economic Record 46 (116), 497–516.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crocombe, R. and Meleisea, M. (1989). ‘Higher education in the Pacific Islands: spheres of influence, trends and developments’, in Crossley, M. (ed.), ‘The development of higher education in the South Pacific’, theme issue, International Journal of Educational Development 9 (3), 163–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crossley, M. (1990). ‘Collaborative research, ethnography and comparative and international education in the South Pacific’, International Journal of Educational Development 10 (1), 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, Sir George, et al. (Currie Commission) (1964). Commission on Higher Education in Papua New Guinea: Report. Port Moresby: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtin, T. (1989). ‘The evaluation of human capital: a comment on recent literature relating to Papua New Guinea’, Papua New Guinea Journal of Education 25(2), 41–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Finance and Planning (DFP) (1986). National Manpower Assessment, 1982–92. Waigani: Government of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • DFP (1989). Development Plan, 1989–1993: Sector Policies and Strategies. Presented by the Minister for Finance and Planning on the occasion of the 1989 Budget, Government of Papua New Guinea, Waigani (4 volumes).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisk, E. K. (1964). ‘Planning in a primitive economy: from pure subsistence to the production of a market surplus’, The Economic Record 40 (90), 156–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gannicott, K. (1987a). ‘Education in Papua New Guinea: a case of wasted resources’, Islands/Australia Working Paper No. 87/5, National Centre for Development Studies, Australian National University, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gannicott, K. (1987b). ‘The evaluation of human capital in Papua New Guinea’, in Throsby, C. D. (ed.), Human Resources Development in the Pacific, Canberra: National Centre for Development Studies, Australian National University, pp. 131–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gannicott, K. and McGavin, P. A. (1990). ‘Schooling in the Solomon Islands: financing expansion through fees’, in Gannicott, K. (ed.), Education for Economic Development in the South Pacific. Canberra: National Centre for Development Studies, Australian National Univerity, pp. 75–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, C. (1986). ‘On the art of giving economic advice: tactics, access, damage-limitation, packaging, confessed ignorance and timing’, Public Administration and Development 6, 445–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Education Agency (IEA) (1989). Computer printout of enrolments supplied by the Director, Papua New Guinea International Education Agency, Boroko.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, J. (1988). ‘The Papua New Guinea system’, in Crocombe, R. and Meleisea, M. (eds.), Pacific Universities: Achievements, Problems, Prospects. Suva, Fiji: Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavin, P. A. (1986). The Labour Market in Papua New Guinea: A Survey and Analysis. Port Moresby: Institute of National Affairs (with the National Institute of Labour Studies, The Flinders University of South Australia).

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavin, P. A. (1989). ‘Policy evaluation of investment in education: a Papua New Guinea study’, Economics & Management Working Paper 2/1989, Department of Economics and Management, University College (UNSW), Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavin, P. A. (1990). ‘Education for the development of Papua New Guinea: a reply to T. Curtin’, Department of Economics, University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani, processed.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavin, P. A. (1991a, forthcoming). ‘Policy evaluation of investment in education: a Papua New Guinea study’, Economics of Education Review.

  • McGavin, P. A. (1991b, forthcoming). ‘Schooling policy for Pacific island nations: a Solomon Islands study’, in Baker, Randall (ed.), Administrative Characteristics of Small States. Kumarian Press, W. Hartford, U.S.A. for, International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration, Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavin, P. A. and Gannicott, K. (1989). ‘Central or local? Management policy for schooling in the Solomon Islands’, Economics & Management Working Papers No. 1/1989, Department of Economics and Management, University College (UNSW), Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavin, P. A. and Ross, M. A. (1988). ‘Rates of return to education in Papua New Guinea: further evidence and policy implications’, Working Paper No. 13. Port Moresby: Institute of National Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, W. W. (1988). ‘Potential resource recovery in higher education in the developing countries and the parents' expected contribution’, Economics of Education Review 7 (1), 135–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manpower Planning Unit (MPU) (1972). Rates of Return to Investment in High Level Manpower in Papua New Guinea 1970–71, Manpower Studies No. 7, Port Moresby: Manpower Planning Unit, Papua New Guinea Office of Programming and Co-ordination.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mingat, A. and Tan, J. P. (1986a). ‘Expanding education through user charges: what can be achieved in Malawi and other LDCs?’ Economics of Education Review 5 (3), 273–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mingat, A. and Tan, J. P. (1986b). ‘Financing public higher education in developing countries: the potential role of loan schemes’, Higher Education 15, 283–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P. S. (1989). ‘Universities, government intervention and the Commission for Higher Education in Papua New Guinea’, International Journal of Educational Development 9 (3), 175–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Planning Office (NPO) (1981). National Manpower Assessment, 1979–1990. Waigani: Government of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • NPO (1984). Medium Term Development Strategy, Education Strategy: Discussion Papers. Waigani: National Planning Office of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Adventist College (PAC) (1990). Annual Accounts for 1989 and enrolments data: computer printout provided by the Principal, Boroko.

  • Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UOT) (1987). Vice-Chancellor's Report, 1987: Tupela Ten Yia. Lae: Papua New Guinea University of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • UOT (1990). ‘Financial statements for year-ended 31 December 1988’, Office of the Bursar, Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Lae.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pourhosseini, M. (1985). ‘Alternative methods of student financing’, Papua New Guinea Commission for Higher Education, Boroko.

    Google Scholar 

  • Psacharopoulos, G. (1983). ‘Education, and private versus public sector pay’, Labor and Society 8 (2), 123–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Psacharopoulos, G. (1985). ‘Returns to education: a further international update and implications’, Journal of Human Resources 20 (4), 583–604.

    Google Scholar 

  • Psacharopoulos, G. (1990). ‘Methods and data in educational research: a culture free paradigm’, paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, The World Bank, Washington D.C., processed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Psacharopoulos, G. and Woodhall, M. (1985). Education for Development: An Analysis of Investment Choices. Washington D.C.: Oxford University Press/World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, W. B. (1987). ‘Income-contingent student loans: context, potential and limits’, Higher Education 16, 699–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, E. B. (ed.) (1976). Papua New Guinea Education. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) (1987). ‘Unit analysis 1985’, Planning Office, University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani, processed.

    Google Scholar 

  • UPNG (1988). ‘Unit cost analysis, 1986’, Planning Office, University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani, processed.

    Google Scholar 

  • UPNG (1989a). Annual Report, 1988. Waigani: University of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • UPNG (1989b). Five Year Plan, 1990–1994: Issues and Concerns. Waigani: University of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • UPNG (1990). Five Year Plan, 1990–1994: Policies and Strategies. Waigani: University of Papua New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, S. (1987). ‘Universities should be closed down - report’, The Times of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, 14–20 May, p. 17.

  • Woodhall, M. (1988). ‘Designing a student loan programme for a developing country: the relevance of international experience’, Economics of Education Review 7 (1), 153–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (1986). Financing Education in Developing Countries: An Exploration of Policy Options. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Economics Department, Australian Defence Force Academy, 2600, Canberra, Australia

    P. A. McGavin

Authors
  1. P. A. McGavin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McGavin, P.A. Reform in the financing of higher education in Papua New Guinea. High Educ 21, 27–48 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00132340

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00132340

Keywords

Search

Navigation