Phonics the answer to learning English in PNG - Dr Joseph Pagelio

A former education secretary in Papua New Guinea, Dr Joseph Pagelio, says ’jolly phonics’ will allow the country to overcome a literacy crisis.

He says most children at elementary school, which they attend from six years of age until they are eight, are unable to read and write.

Since the beginning of this year, English has been the language of instruction, replacing Tok Pisin or the local indigenous language.

But Dr Pagelio says for this to work, the whole of language approach to teaching English needs to be replaced by jolly phonics.

He says a pilot programme he has helped to oversee in two schools in Port Moresby has shown it will work.

“We have seen some very good progress with the trial of the ’jolly phonics’ programme in two of our schools in Port Moresby and now the secretary for education is keen to roll it out in the National Capital District next year to over 60 schools.”

Dr Joseph Pagelio.

RNZI