Early Childhood Education in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the largest Pacific island nation. The mountainous terrain and rugged landscapes created pockets of tribal isolationism on an island where 850 different languages (not dialects) are still spoken and cultural differences in art, dance, music, costumes, and architecture make PNG one of the most diverse nations in the world. This diversity is a source of pride, but can serve as a barrier to raising the standard of living for the majority of its citizens, specifically with regard to the economy, law and order, health, and education (Hayward-Jones, 2016). This chapter summarizes the historical and modern influences of politics, culture, and geography on educational opportunities in PNG, and more specifically, factors that impact childhood education.