CONFERENCE IN FIJI LAUNCHES STATUS REPORT ON PACIFIC EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
(Group Photo: ©UNICEF Pacific/2024/Shaheed)
Government leaders and education heads from 15 Pacific Island nations, in collaboration with UNICEF, have convened in Nadi, Fiji, to kickstart a four-day conference aimed at bolstering early childhood education (ECE) across the region. The conference heralded the release of a new Status Report on Pacific Early Childhood Education Systems, a milestone in the ongoing efforts under the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) partnership.
Dr. Tufoua Panapa, Tuvalu’s CEO of Education and Chair of PacREF, set the tone for the conference, highlighting the values of transparency, accountability, and shared learning. He emphasized the need for a unified Pacific regional call to action, ensuring equitable access to ECE for all children, regardless of their circumstances.
Over the course of the conference, education leaders are dissecting the findings of the Status Report, exchanging insights on successes and challenges faced in implementing ECE initiatives. The goal is to collaboratively address gaps and devise strategies for enhancing early childhood learning opportunities across the Pacific.
One significant outcome of the conference is the establishment of an early-learning task force, tasked with providing leadership on ECE matters to Pacific governments and stakeholders. This move underscores a collective commitment to prioritizing the well-being and development of the region's youngest learners.
Ms. Roshni Basu, UNICEF Pacific Deputy Representative, echoed the sentiments expressed at the conference, emphasizing the pivotal role of robust ECE systems in laying the groundwork for children's lifelong learning journey. She stressed the importance of investments in quality ECE programs tailored to the unique needs of Pacific communities.
The Status Report builds upon the groundwork laid by the inaugural Pacific ECCE Status Report compiled in 2017. It highlights both progress made and challenges encountered since then, including improved access to ECE and heightened attention to ECE within education legislation.
Developed with input from ECE focal points and supported by partners under the PacREF umbrella, the Status Report serves as a catalyst for constructive dialogue and action-oriented collaboration among Pacific nations.
Mr. Filipe Jitoko, PacREF Coordinator, expressed optimism about the strides made in advancing ECE across the region. However, he acknowledged the persistent challenges hindering progress and underscored the conference's role in seeking collective solutions.
The conference brings together representatives from 15 Pacific Island Countries, including Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga, among others. UNICEF's hosting of the conference as part of the PacREF Partnership signifies a concerted effort to galvanize momentum toward realizing the full potential of early childhood education in the Pacific.
As the conference progresses, participants are poised to chart a course forward that prioritizes the holistic development and well-being of Pacific children, laying the groundwork for a brighter future for generations to come.