Bougainville to Host 35th Senior Education Officers Conference in 2026

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) has officially been confirmed as the host of the 35^th Senior Education Officers Conference (SEOC) in 2026.

The SEOC, a major annual event on the national education calendar, rotates among Papua New Guinea’s four regions. With the Islands Region next in line, Bougainville will proudly take up the baton for the upcoming conference.

An official handover ceremony was held on Friday, September 26, marking the symbolic transfer of responsibility to Bougainville in a vibrant cultural celebration led by representatives of the New Guinea Islands Region.

Secretary for Bougainville Education, Dorothy Kenneth, received the SEOC baton on behalf of her province and expressed gratitude for the trust placed in AROB.

I thank Northern Province and my sister provinces for their support. I stand here with the full backing of the Autonomous Bougainville Government to ensure we deliver a successful 35th SEOC in 2026.

Kenneth

Representing the Northern Governor at the handover, Ijivitari MP David Arore commended the SEOC Committee, the Northern Provincial Education Division, teachers, and students for their collective effort in hosting a successful 34^th SEOC in Popondetta.

The conference has brought great benefits to Northern Province, not only in education but also economically, with local businesses, craft markets, and SMEs earning valuable income from visiting participants.

Arore

The Senior Education Officers Conference serves as a vital platform for policy development, strategic planning, and communication between national and provincial education leaders.

This year’s conference brought together Provincial Education Advisors, planners, and senior officers from across the country to discuss challenges, review progress, and outline pathways aligned with the National Education Plan 2020–2029.

As Bougainville prepares to host the 35^th SEOC, anticipation is building for what promises to be a milestone event for the region’s education sector and its growing leadership role in national development.