DOWNLOAD: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, CIRCULAR NO: 25 OF 2025
THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT PRESENTS
ESSAY AND POETRY CONTEST
What does INDEPENDENCE mean to you and how do you see PNG in 50 years time?
TOPIC STATEMENT
Papua New Guinea is celebrating 50 years of independence. What does independence mean to you and how do you see Papua New Guinea in 50 years time?
CRITERIA
"TARGET PARTICIPANTS: GRADE 11 STUDENTS NATIONWIDE"
ESSAY
The essay must be in English and 800 to 1000 words long. Participating students can blend personal reflection with research such as interviews with elders or history analysis and literature reviews. Students are also encouraged to have subthemes such as cultural pride, unity diversity, leadership or legacy.
POEM
Poems must be in English and have at be 6 to 10 stanzas long. Each stanza should have at least 4 lines. Poems can be free verse or with traditional forms such as rhymes.
This Contest is proudly brought to you by the "Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Service",in collaboration with the "Education Department of Papua New Guinea".
KEY DATES:
LAUNCHED DATE
FRIDAY 23TH JUNE 2025
FRIDAY 11TH JULY 2025
CLOSING DATE
Schools submit top 6 entries : 11th July 2025
Inspectors submit top 6 entries from each province : 18th July 2025
Finalists receive travel advice : 24th July 2025
Finalists arrive in Port Moresby : 5th August 2025
Finalists participate in Parliament organised activities : 6th - 10th August 2025
24 finalists from 4 regions will particpate in a week long programme commemorating the 41st anniversary of the officical opening of Parliament House in Port Moresby in August 2025 where they will meet both current national leaders as well as pioneering members of parliament.
SECONDLY
They will receive return air tickets to Port Moresby, a daily stipend and accommodation during the week in Port Moresby all paid by the National Parliament.
THIRD
Contestant will have an opportunity to read or recite their entries to a national audience. Finalist entries may also be published.
FINALLY
Copies of all 24 entries will be placed in capsule to be buried in the presence of pioneering members of parliament with the prospect of students to be part of the ceremony in 2075 when the capsule is opened. Details of finalists and pioneering members of Parliament with photographs are to be included as items in the capsule.
