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Pacific leaders met in Auckland last week for a three-day conference to discuss education challenges in the region.
It was the first time the leaders have been able to gather in person since the Covid-19 pandemic started, with the last conference being held virtually in 2021.
It was an opportunity for leaders to discuss and suggest possible solutions to issues such as gender equity, Covid-19 and climate change.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni says meeting with other leaders has uncovered possible solutions to Tonga’s education challenges.
“A Lot of the issues were very informative, even as a minister who had been looking after education for many years in Tonga,” he says.
“We have issues about trying to limit dropouts and truancy. We would like to actually invest more in that so that we keep the students in the classroom.”
Teacher shortages are also an issue in the Pacific, with many moving to New Zealand and Australia for better pay and working conditions.
“I believe it’s important for Australia and New Zealand to work with us not only for those that we’re sending over but also for the training institutions to build up our capacity and capability also to sustain and maintain the level of service in Tonga and any of the Pacific countries.”
New Zealand education minister Jan Tinetti was also present, saying that meeting with other Pacific ministers has been a learning experience.
“What I’m learning here is that we can do this together, and I think we need to be strong on that – that it’s not just about us alone. All of us together as Pacific Island ministers of education can make a difference for our Pacific Island Students,” she says.
And with the growing number of Pasifika people in New Zealand, collaboration with Pacific nations will be even more crucial.
“What it means for us here in New Zealand is that our Pacific children will benefit from this because we’ll take our lessons from here, and we will put that into the pacific education plan to ensure that all of our Pacific young people are succeeding.”
