Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) in Port Moresby 30 March 2025
At the recent Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) in Port Moresby 30 March 2025, the launch of the Status of Pacific Education Report 2024 (SOPER24) marked a significant step in tracking the region’s progress toward quality education for all. Developed by the Pacific Community’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) in partnership with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), SOPER24 offers a comprehensive picture of how education is evolving across the Pacific.
But even as the report celebrates progress—such as stronger data systems and improved collaboration—it also makes one thing clear: there is still much work to be done if Pacific Island countries are to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which calls for inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
This article explores the key areas where improvement is urgently needed and offers practical steps to build a more resilient, relevant, and effective education system for the Pacific.
1. Build Stronger and Smarter Data Systems
SOPER24 makes a strong case that good data is the foundation of good education policy. Countries must know where students are struggling, where teachers need support, and where resources are lacking. Unfortunately, many Pacific Island countries still face serious gaps in education data collection and analysis.
Through the EQAP-UIS partnership, some progress has been made. More countries are now able to complete key data reports like the UIS questionnaire. But to scale up, governments need to invest in:
- Digital data systems that track student learning, attendance, and teacher performance.
- Training for Ministry officials and school leaders to interpret and act on the data.
- A culture of evidence-based planning at all levels of the education system.
Without accurate and timely data, national strategies risk missing the mark.
2. Prioritize Teachers: Training, Retention, and Respect
No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. Yet in many Pacific countries, teachers face major challenges—limited access to professional development, low salaries, outdated training models, and minimal support in the classroom.
To improve outcomes, we must:
- Invest in ongoing teacher training, especially in digital literacy, student-centred teaching, and inclusive education.
- Create career pathways to motivate teachers and keep them in the profession.
- Provide classroom resources and reduce student-teacher ratios.
- Most importantly, treat teachers as valued professionals, not just civil servants.
When teachers thrive, students thrive too.
3. Close the Digital Divide
One of the most visible education inequalities in the Pacific is access to technology. While SOPER24 acknowledges growing efforts to improve data systems, access to classroom technology remains limited, especially in rural and outer island schools.
To bring Pacific education into the digital age, we need:
- Internet access in every school
- Devices like tablets or laptops for students and teachers
- Technical support to maintain infrastructure
- Locally relevant digital learning content in Pacific languages
Technology is not a silver bullet—but used wisely, it can bridge learning gaps, connect isolated communities, and equip students for future careers.
4. Build Resilient, Safe, and Inclusive Schools
The Pacific is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Many schools remain vulnerable to cyclones, flooding, and earthquakes. At the same time, some children—especially those with disabilities—struggle to access education due to poor infrastructure.
Governments and development partners must work together to:
- Build climate-resilient school buildings
- Ensure accessibility for children with disabilities
- Improve WASH facilities (water, sanitation, and hygiene)
- Create safe learning environments where students feel supported and protected
Every child deserves to learn in a school that is safe, inclusive, and built to last.
5. Update Curriculum to Reflect Both Local Culture and Global Skills
For education to be meaningful in the Pacific, it must reflect the values, languages, and aspirations of the region. At the same time, young people need to be prepared for the global economy, climate change, and a rapidly evolving world.
Curriculum reform should aim to:
- Embed Pacific culture, history, and languages into core subjects
- Include life skills, digital skills, and environmental education
- Promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving
- Connect students to real-life applications, like agriculture, fishing, and entrepreneurship
Education must be both rooted in identity and open to opportunity.
6. Increase Sustainable Funding and Strengthen Regional Cooperation
Education is not cheap, and many Pacific countries operate under constrained national budgets. SOPER24 reminds us that sustainable progress requires long-term investment—not just in buildings, but in systems, people, and innovation.
What’s needed:
- More domestic resources dedicated to education
- Efficient use of donor funding, aligned with national priorities
- Stronger public-private partnerships to bring in expertise and capital
- Continued support for regional frameworks like PacREF to align goals and monitor progress
Australia’s DFAT has been a key partner in supporting the SOPER series and assessments like PILNA. Ongoing collaboration with development partners will remain vital to meeting regional education targets.
7. Empower Communities and Parents
Finally, education is not just the responsibility of governments or schools—it’s a shared responsibility. Families, churches, village councils, and community leaders all have a role to play in supporting children’s learning.
Governments should:
- Encourage parental involvement in school planning and student support
- Promote community-based early childhood education
- Provide adult learning opportunities so parents can continue to learn and model lifelong learning
When communities are engaged, education becomes more inclusive, relevant, and sustainable.
Conclusion: The Time to Act Is Now
The launch of SOPER2024 is a wake-up call and a source of hope. It tells us that progress is possible, and that the Pacific has already taken important steps. But it also reminds us that meaningful transformation requires consistent action, investment, and collaboration.
If we are to meet the ambitions of SDG 4 and the Pacific Regional Education Framework, then we must commit to:
- Strengthening systems and data
- Supporting our teachers
- Embracing technology
- Making schools safe and inclusive
- Reforming curriculum
- Funding what matters
- And involving our communities
Please let us not wait until 2030 to realise that we could have done more. The future of Pacific education—and the future of our children—is being shaped now. Let’s work together to get it right.
By Melino Maka
Tonga Independent News
