Vanuatu takes a step forward to elevate accessible and inclusive education for all children

Despite primary school completion in Vanuatu being high (92 per cent), this figure drops significantly to just over 50 per cent in lower secondary school, and even further as students move into upper secondary level. There is a growing need to address this challenge by transforming Vanuatu's national education system.

Today, the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training joined key stakeholders to kick off the first national consultations in the lead-up to the United Nations (UN) Transforming Education Summit (TES) in New York next month. These national dialogues aim to mobilize political ambition and solidarity to transform education nationally and take stock of pandemic-related learning losses.

Ensuring the voices of children and youth is front and centre during the TES is Florida Tumulago, Chair of the Vanuatu National Youth Authority.

The MoET-led community dialoguing process through group activities.

Director General of the Ministry of Education and Training, Bergman's Iati stated, "The Transforming Education Summit provides an opportunity to mobilize greater political ambition, commitment, and action to reverse the slide on SDG 4 on quality education, re-imagine education, and accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda broadly".

"It's a moment to pause and imagine what we want the Vanuatu education system to look like in 10 years, and what we want a student leaving school to know and be ready to do," Director General Iati added. "Priorities and recommendations from the national consultation would be useful to reframe existing strategies and shape focus to accelerate progress".

The MoET-led community dialoguing process through group activities.

The Ministry is facilitating this dialogue with the community to agree on priority actions to further leverage education in the country. Leading up to these consultations, a youth consultation was jointly hosted by Vanuatu's Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and Ministry of Education and Training, the outcomes of which also fed into these consultations.

30 key youth representatives from Efate and its offshore islands.

In Vanuatu, about 66 per cent of children and young people in Year 6 achieved at least a minimum proficiency level in reading, while 88 per cent achieved minimum proficiency in mathematics.

"The UN recognizes that education is a human right and a necessity for the creation of peace, tolerance, and sustainable development. That's why these consultations are important - they will result in the voices of people from Vanuatu being included in global plans for strengthened education systems. TES ensures that the voices and needs of everyone is heard, not just some, in order to meet this human right, and many others," said UN Resident Coordinator to Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu, Sanaka Samarasinha.

With COVID-19, around 100,000 Vanuatu school children lost at least 232 hours each of in-person learning between 7 March 2022, and when schools re-opened. While efforts were made in Vanuatu to provide school children with access to remote learning, the shift has been associated with a learning loss, especially for those who are marginalized and vulnerable.

"Children have already lost over an estimated 23 million hours of in-person learning during the pandemic. We need to not only get back on track but transform education to ensure every child in Vanuatu is able to claim their right to quality education," said UNICEF Vanuatu Field Office OIC, Brecht Mommen. "UNICEF is pleased to be working with the Ministry of Education and Training, as well as our partners, in this community dialogue process that will guide how systems, services and programmes can better respond to the needs of children in Vanuatu."

The outcome of the consultation will be a National Statement of Commitment outlining Vanuatu's plans to transform education and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4. This Statement will be submitted to the Transforming Education Summit(link is external).

"The national consultation is an excellent opportunity to rethink what is important for Vanuatu's social, economic and political development", states Nisha, Director of the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States and Representative. "The future of education and its relevance to young people is in preparing for new labour market realities and learning environments, that will narrow inequalities, and create informed and tolerant societies where diversity is celebrated".

The national consultation on transforming education in Vanuatu is led by the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training, supported by the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, UNICEF, and UNESCO.

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U-Report Poll

In addition to this face-to-face consultation, there is also a poll being implemented through U-Report that is open to the public to share their views. The online questionnaire is open, and the public is encouraged to use this platform to share their opinions on education transformation. To participate, send the word "EDUCATION" to 150 in a SMS or connect on messenger through this link: http://m.me/ureportvanuatu(link is external)The Ministry of Education and Training seeks genuine views from all stakeholders and particularly encourages students at all levels to participate in the consultations.

About the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training:

The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) is responsible for delivering the education aspects of the SDGs and international agreements, such as, Education for All and respect for the rights of children. This includes Vanuatu Government's commitment to achieving universal primary completion, improving literacy, and to developing skills for the productive sectors. It is focused on three strategic goals related to access, quality, and management. For more information go to: https://moet.gov.vu(link is external)or https://web.facebook.com/moetvanuatu(link is external)

About RCO:

UN multi-country engagement in the Pacific is led by three Resident Coordinators and a Joint UN Country Team linked across three regional hubs, operating regionally out of Fiji, Micronesia, and Samoa. There are five Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) under the leadership of the Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

About UNICEF:

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF Pacific and its work for children, follow UNICEF Pacific(link is external)onTwitter(link is external)and Facebook(link is external)

About UNESCO:

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has 195 Members and 8 Associate Members, has more than 50 field offices around the world and its headquarters are in Paris. UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. For more information about UNESCO Pacific and its work, follow UNESCO Pacificon Twitter, Facebook, Instagramand Youtube(link is external).

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