MEDIA RELEASE

                                                    Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Callan Services Network officially hands over new Individualised Education Plan (IEP) to the National Government

Callan Inclusive Education Institute (CIEI) today officially handed over PNG’s first documentation about the development of ‘Individualised Education Plan’ (IEP) to the National Government in Port Moresby.

Mr. Allan Jim, Assistant Secretary for Teacher Education & Inspections within the Education Department received the IEP Teacher’s Guide for developing individualized elementary plans for Elementary, Primary, TVET and Secondary students with disabilities. Presentation of the documents was made by CIEI lecturers.

“This is a significant moment for the Educational Department in moving forward with the work of inclusive education in the country.”

Mr Jim commended Callan Services Network and CBM-New Zealand Aid for being major partners in the project to making the Plan possible for their hard work and commitment to making it a reality.

An official launch of the Plan is expected later, after it is formally endorsed by the National Education Board.

CIEI Senior Lecturer in Wewak, Cecilia Bagore acknowledged the support from the Department’s Inclusive Education Unit and said it has been a “challenging journey” for teachers and coordinators at CIEI and Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCS) when the IEP draft was developed and trialled in 2014.

“You’re the heroes who have contributed to drafting, evaluating and finalising the plan.”

Director of The Network of Callan Services National Unit (CSNU), Br Kevin Ryan thanked the Inclusive Education Unit for accepting the planned document and congratulated everyone within the Network and funding partners for supporting inclusive education in PNG.

“It is quite fitting to highlight such a document on this occasion when the Network is holding its 10^th annual conference this week (Monday 13^th – Friday 17^th May 2019).

Participants attending the 5-day conference comprise leaders from 19 IERCs, lecturers from CIEI, CSNU officers and representatives from Christian Brothers Oceania Province (CBOP) in Australia. The theme of the 5-day conference is ‘Realising the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ with total focus on beginning the journey towards the next Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 and building the community of the Network.

The agenda for the conference includes: reviewing the journey of the last few years, current reality, dreaming of the future, planning of action to develop the next Strategic Plan, development of a planning team and process to gather and refine information and “dreams” from a number of sources within and outside The Callan Services Network.

The work of the Network that is made possible through the IERCs and the CIEI that exist under the Education Act of Papua New Guinea and approved Education Agencies that develop and govern them.

CSNU, a faith-based development NGO is able to provide significant leadership and support to all members to increase the range, quality and accountability of the training and services.

The Network consists of 19 IERCs in 17 provinces in PNG. Their key work is awareness about disabilities, supporting further rehabilitation and health care, provision of assistive technology and facilitating educational and training services for children with disabilities

Photo Caption:

1.      Right: Allan Jim, Assistant Secretary for Teacher Education Division within the Education Department (R) receiving the IEP from CIEI Lecturer, John Munum (grey shirt) while Peter Sindu (with hat) and Callan Kiunga IERC Coordinator, Rose Kehanie look on.

2.      Left: Allan Jim, Assistant Secretary for Teacher Education Division within the Education Department (R) receiving the IEP from CIEI Lecturer, John Munum while other CIEI lecturers look on.

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