Workshop for Primary Schools Principals on the Right to Quality Education Featured
20th April, 2016. The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Training , Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva opened a two day Training workshop for Tongatapu Primary Schools Principals on the Right to Quality Education at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre on Monday 18 April 2016.
In his opening address, the Hon. Prime Minister said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 proclaims that education is a fundamental human right and further encourages the full development of the human personality and strengthening of respect and peace. The Education Act 2013 Section 3(i) stipulates that every child in Tonga shall have the right to receive a quality education. His responsibility as Minister is to ensure that the law in implemented and achieved.
He reminded principals that their position is significant to support the provision and achievement of quality education. “Quality education is not just about high levels of academic achievement but about preparing a child to fully engage as a productive member of the society, to have respect and understanding for each other, to build peace, be creative, innovative, honest and industrious.”
He also said that his objective as being a Minister for Education and Training is to make a difference. He said hiring an Information Technology (IT) expert to develop a software to integrate student assessment results and to track student performance to tell how each child is progressing from Class 1 to the end of secondary education was to ensure quality education and life-long learning for all.
He acknowledged the assistance from the UNESCO for hosting the two day workshop and allowing capacity building and empowerment of Principals, giving them the opportunity to gain knowledge on educational reforms and to share best practices that will advocate the achievement of our common goals for education for the benefit of children of Tonga.
The agenda for UNESCO funded workshop includes Global Agenda for Education and alignment to Educational Development in Tonga; the Education Act 2013 and Expected role of Principals to support the implementation of the Act, particularly on the Right to Quality Education; Educations in areas of gender equality, culture, sports, climate change and health; monitoring and evaluation and expected role of Principals to support and implement, sharing of best practices in primary schools and sharing workshop proceedings and knowledge with their teachers.
6 comments
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Kuo tau anga he lau mo sio he ngaahi lea ha kau taki, ko e uki e fakalakalaka'i 'o ha fonua, koeni ia ko e uki tau. Ko e fakaanga ko e fakamoveuveu loto 'ia kita mo e taha 'oku te fakaanga'i. Toatu e me'a 'oku ke uki 'Eiki Minisita. Me'a niiii 'oku 'ikai pe toe 'i ai ha me'a lelei ange keke me'a'aki? Ko ha me'a ia ke ako'i? Ke fakaanga'i ha taki? Ko e anga'i Setane ena ia 'oku ke fakatuputupu 'i Tonga ni.
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'I he me'a fakaava 'a e Minisita Ako na'a ne pehe koe ta'u 'e 16 na'e failautohi GPS aii, pea ta'u 'e 4 na'e kolisi faiako ai. Pea ne fakatokanga'i na'e miss out e issue mahu'inga he silapa 'a e ako, 'aia ko hono fakaanga'i e kau taki. Pea koe 'uhinga ia na'a ne fokotu'u ai 'ene polokalama letio 'matalafolaukai' 'o iku tuli ai mei he ngaue fakapule'anga. Ko 'ene foki mai leva 'eni 'o Minisita ke fakakakato 'ene misiona fakaanga. Ka ko 'eni kuo mafuli e misiona ia, 'o hanga hifo ia 'o fakaanga'i e kau fakaanga hake ki he'ene faitu'utu'uni. Me'a faikehe ia Minisita, kehe lea he hake, pea kehe lea he hifo.
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The ministry of education definitely needs an improved information management system. What I don't understand is why is it the Minister NOT following the procedures (such as procurement processes, contracts, etc.) set by government for all ministries and agencies to follow. Can a minister do that (- do as he wishes)? Is he the exception to the rule? What do our laws say about this?
The CEO must recommend to the Minister to advertise for a trustworthy IT company with proven record to address its IT needs. Hiring an individual IT friend/relative to work on the info-management need of the largest ministry in the country is totally irresponsible!
If the Ministry of Education does not want to proceed with what the former CEO, Emily Pouvalu, planned with India-based IT company, then they should advertise again for another reputable IT company. It's plain corruption to hire someone (not to mention a friend/relative) without following due processes.
'Oku fefe nai e sio mai 'ae PSC moe Ministry of Finance ki he issue hono hire 'oe IT expert ko 'eni. -
“Quality education is not just about high levels of academic achievement but about preparing a child to fully engage as a productive member of the society ... etc." this is so funny and contradictory!!! he is on record as saying that based on an analysis by Piveni (the business partner) the average exam mark has dropped over the last recent years therefore the quality of education in Tonga has deteriorated !!! now he's talking about the whole child, the very thing that real experts advocated and he rejected. He is a very confused man who can't even remember his own words.
And why, of all the issues that plague the ministry he singles out the IT expert??? still trying to justify handling Piveni on a golden platter the $200,000 unprocured contract ??? We heard that Piveni's contract has been extended by order of PM !!! -
Ne iai ha taha na'e lau'i i he foi opening address koeni?
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PM: "HIRING AN IT EXPERT..."was the dishonest nepotism selection of a business partner (Pīveni Piukala) of his son Siaosi Pōhiva, who caused more problems than good.