SIL Electronic Working Papers 1999-002

This paper outlines the historical evolution of the recent language policy in PNG, and gives an overview of the 1989 education policy regarding initial education in the vernacular, including discussion on planning, implementation and evaluation of the policy. The bulk of the paper discusses implications of the PNG experience for sociolinguistics, language planning and education. The paper challenges some of the assumptions by some sociolinguists regarding the use of vernacular language education.