via Radio Australia

Papua New Guinea's Teaching Commission Service says teachers are taking two classes to compensate for shortage of trained professionals.

It estimates that 5,000 teaching jobs currently need to be filled.

Samson Wangihomie, the Commission's spokesman, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program that despite increased salaries and tax breaks for teachers, not enough qualified people are joining the sector.

"Some teachers are doubling up so that's how we are coping at the moment," Mr Wangihomie said.

"Positions were created, and often no appointments were made to those positions, so that is where it is.

"But where there are shortages, teachers are basically taking up two classes each."

Mr Wangihomie added that rural areas are suffering more than cities.