The Policy
Preamble
The National Goals and Directive Principles of the PNG Constitution places importance on democracy, national unity, cultural heritage, integral human development, equality and participation. In order to practise what Papua New Guineans pledge to do, there must be the opportunity for all people who are print illiterate to become literate. The PNG National Literacy Policy embodies such an opportunity for those who are not catered for by the formal education system. We live in an increasingly print-saturated society. Literacy demands on people are increasing continually. Therefore, literacy development for all must be a national priority.

General policy statements
This policy addresses literacy activities, which are outside of the formal education system. A literacy policy clarifies policy issues; it says what is to be done. A literacy plan must show how the policy is to be implemented. The NLAC, through its executive arm, the NLAS, is charged with the responsibility of implementing this policy. One of the recommendations of the Task Force is that the NLAC be given the task of developing a literacy plan to implement this policy. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for promoting non-formal literacy activities throughout PNG.

Literacy is not just reading and writing. It is about learning, thinking, critiquing and expanding vision; it is about encouraging a desire for life-long learning in all Papua New Guineans and equipping them with the skills to fulfill that desire.

Language is central to individual and group affiliation and culture maintenance. Literacy in PNG should be started in the vernacular languages of the communities so that it is meaningful and sustainable. Literacy must be seen as a means to an end; as a tool to achieve something meaningful and practical.

The policy reflects the importance of literacy
It is a statement of national literacy needs, priorities and goals to encourage programmes that will help meet the needs of children and adults who are not catered for by the formal education sector. They also need an opportunity to become proficient in speaking, reading and writing their mother tongue as well as one or more of the national languages. This will be a fulfillment of the National goal and directive principles of PNG's Constitution; that of integral human development.

The policy targets children and adults who are not catered for by the formal education system. Children less than six years old are the responsibility of their parents and community and are not addressed in this policy.

Training and Research
Training is essential to carry out this policy. Inter-organisation co-operation is essential in training literacy workers. Initiatives developed by government agencies, churches and missions or NGOs need to be shared or at least made known to other literacy agencies and workers. NLAC and NLAS are responsible for continuing to foster and facilitate inter-organisation networking and development of cooperative efforts. Research and development are an on-going part of the work of NLAC and NLAS.