DAVID WAPAR
TWENTY-five public servants from various government agencies started classes at Divine Word University in Madang this week.
They will be on campus for two weeks for the residential component of their program before returning to their workplaces with assignments to do during the semester.
The Secretary of the Department of Personnel Management, John Kali (pictured), was on campus late July to pay tuition and boarding fees for public servants studying under the Public Sector Workforce Development Program (PSWDP).
Mr Kali confirmed that 13 officers were enrolled for Master of Public Administration degree and 12 were enrolled for the Bachelor of Public Administration degree.
The programs were developed by DWU and introduced in 2011 following the government’s request for help in building an effective workforce.
This is the second batch of public servants studying under the program and Mr Kali said the number will grow.
He told participating public servants that the purpose of the program is to upgrade their skills and knowledge so they can serve the public better.
“You are here to attend this program to upgrade your skills so that you can aspire to work better and be promoted,” Mr Kali said.
He said the government’s top priority is to deliver services to people and the program is an investment worth spending money on.
He told public servants, many of whom are district administrators and local level government executives, that they are at the frontline and in contact with the people and whatever leadership qualities acquired in their study should be put to use to serve the people.
Mr Kali encouraged the public servants to study hard in order to develop a positive working culture which they could bring back to the workforce and inspire others to serve the country better.