The Pacific region’s investment in early childhood education took a significant step forward during the School Readiness Reflection Gathering Workshop, held from December 3rd to 6th, 2024, in Nadi, Fiji. This pivotal event brought together Early Childhood Education and Care (ECCE) educators, ministry officials, and specialists, marking the conclusion of the pilot phase of the School Readiness Project. This initiative, facilitated by the Pacific Community’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) in collaboration with the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) and support from UNICEF, aims to enhance literacy and numeracy, ultimately better preparing the region’s youngest learners for formal education.
The workshop was part of a broader commitment to the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), which seeks to improve educational outcomes across all levels. During the session, participants, including ECCE educators from eight Pacific Island nations, evaluated the project’s achievements and identified strategies to support children as they transition to primary education.
A key focus was the School Readiness Tool, which has been adapted from the World Bank’s early Human Capability Index (eCHI). This tool is specifically tailored to address the diverse needs within Pacific communities, allowing educators to gather data across eight developmental domains. Mr. Laiyakini Marasaya, a Senior Curriculum Specialist for Early Childhood Education in Fiji, emphasized that effective use of this tool enables informed decision-making for educators, fostering a holistic approach to childhood development critical for lifelong learning.
In addition, insights from Tonga, an early adopter of the eHCI, shed light on the importance of integrating innovative resources into educational frameworks. Mr. Hepeti Takeifanga remarked on the tool’s relevance, noting its role in shaping a child-centered educational approach.
Dr. Michelle Belisle, Director of EQAP, underscored the project’s impact by focusing on understanding children’s support needs during their transition to formal schooling. This includes nurturing not just literacy and numeracy but also social and emotional development, essential to ensuring children are well-equipped for their educational journeys.
Looking ahead, EQAP plans to collaborate with various educational ministries to further scale the School Readiness Tool, thereby broadening its accessibility to teachers, especially in underserved regions of the Pacific. The collective dedication demonstrated during the workshop reaffirms the region’s ongoing efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims for quality education as outlined in the global 2030 Agenda.
The positive strides made in early childhood education in the Pacific highlight the potential for enhancing educational frameworks, fostering a brighter future for children in the region. Moving forward, continuing collaboration and innovation in educational practices will be crucial in addressing existing challenges and unlocking the full potential of Pacific learners.
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