18th Consultation Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES) (23-25 August 2011; Koror, Palau)

OUTCOME DOCUMENT

1. Regional mechanism (institute) on educational policy and planning in the Pacific

(a) PHES was informed that a final report submitted by a consulting firm provided five options and recommended Option 4 which is a combination of long-term post- graduate qualifications by USP, in collaboration with IIEP, with short-term technical advice and in-country training by SPC/SPBEA for the reasons of cost-effectiveness, meeting the needs of stakeholders and optimizing the use of existing regional institutions. (b) PHES agreed with this recommendation with some amendments and a concern as follows:  Amendment: A regional mechanism: a combination of long-term post-graduate qualifications by USP, in collaboration with IIEP, with short-term technical advice and in-country training by SPC and/or any other development partners active in capacity development of educational policy and planning, such as PREL and UNESCO.  Concern: Three countries are not members of USP: the FSM, Papua New Guinea and Palau. This would not stop them from accessing courses but fees would be higher unless students were on scholarship, in which case there would be no difference. There are no USP campuses in non-member countries.

2. Pacific-wide strategy for improving EMIS and its use to inform planning and decision making

(a) PHES acknowledged the fact that each country needs assistance in order to develop and improve EMIS and to make it more functional and to provide relevant and quality data. (b) PHES agreed that it is important to do country level analysis and to identify needs of each country as a first step. (c) It is recommended that an assessment will be carried out as to where countries are with regards to their EMIS and it will be reported at a regional workshop that will be held in the first quarter of 2012.

3. Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards (PRQS)

(a) PHES was informed of an update of the development of the PRQS, including the three booklets of the PRQS, in-country consultation in six countries, membership of the Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN) and key outcomes of the second regional consultation in May 2011.

4. Pacific Association of Teacher Educators (PATE)

(a) PHES was informed of a Commonwealth Pacific regional consultation between heads of teacher education institutions, ministries of education on the professional

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development of teacher educators in June 2011 and noted a concept note on the re- establishment of the PATE. (b) PHES approved re-establishment of the PATE. (c) PHES agreed to its membership and attendance at the working strategic meetings on educational development in the Pacific, in particular in the CROP HRD working group, PHES and FEdMM.

5. Climate change education (CCE)

(a) PHES was informed of climate change in the Pacific, its impacts, the role of education, objectives and priority areas of CCE initiative, and the Pacific Island Climate Change Education Partnership (PCEP). (b) PHES agreed with the formation of a working group including national stakeholders (Ministries of Education, Ministries, agencies and committees in charge of climate change coordination, Teacher Training Colleges, NGOs) to develop the framework to be ready for endorsement by the next FEdMM and Pacific Climate Change Roundtable;

6. Baseline survey of the PEDF

(a) PHES was informed of an update on the PEDF baseline survey validation, and the current situation and analysis by sub-sector and by cross-cutting theme. (b) There was a concern about exclusion of higher education from the PEDF. (c) PHES noted that an outcome of the baseline survey is the identification of country level activities under the PEDF and countries are encouraged to consider implementing the activities through their own national resources or through any programmes supported by development partners.

7. Concept note on formation of a Pacific ECCE Council

(a) PHES was informed of a brief background of the Pacific Region ECCE Council, its purpose, vision, mission, key goals, and membership and governance structure. (b) PHES endorsed key goals and strategic areas for the Council and the proposed membership and governance structure of the Council. (c) PHES agreed with reporting of the Council to PHES on progress and achievements on an annual basis.

8. Assessing Literacy and Numeracy in the Pacific: Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA)

(a) PHES was informed of a background of concerns about literacy and numeracy by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, Ministers and development partners, regional benchmarks for literacy, numeracy and life skills, national level assessments, and PILNA update. (b) It was also informed that PILNA tools will be ready in early 2012 and PINLA implementation will be towards the end of 2012. (c) PHES noted that PILNA needs to be rolled out to as many countries as possible in order to set sound regional baseline.

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9. Update of Pacific Language and Literacy Conference

(a) PHES was informed of a background of the Conference and where it stands with reference to the result of the Pacific education sector development partners meeting in March 2011 and some recent update. (b) It was suggested that the Conference should be held before the next FEdMM in May 2012.

10. Report from M&E Framework Taskforce on education indicators and data collection

(a) PHES was informed of FEdMM decision in 2010 concerning the formation of a taskforce comprising key development partners in developing M&E framework for priority areas in the PEDF, taskforce members, and the outcomes of the taskforce meeting in April 2011. (b) PHES noted the next steps of finalizing indicators, development of national level indicators according to countries’ education sector plans, and intensions of collection of national level indicators, reporting on international commitments, regional synthesis to FEdMM and reporting to leaders on challenges faced.

11. Brief updates on the following ongoing issues

 Improving Teacher Competency and Effectiveness in the Pacific  Update on the Development and Implementation of the Teacher and Principal Standards  Improving teacher quality in the Pacific both through pre-service and in-serve training  Flexible, Distance and Open Schooling in the Pacific  Benchmarking Education Quality for Results in the Pacific  Open Schooling as a Strategy for Second Chance Education  Strategy for ICT in Education in the Pacific Region  Implementing the Regional Education for Sustainable Development Action Plan  Developing a Pacific Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Pacific – Progress Report

12. FEdMM in May 2012 in Vanuatu

(a) PHES asked PIFS to send a draft agenda for FEdMM. (b) PHES were encouraged to review the outcome documents of the last FEdMM (2010, PNG).

13. Next consultation meeting of PHES

(a) It was tentatively agreed that the next consultation meeting of the PHES will be held in July 2013.

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List of participants

Cook Islands Ms. Sharyn Paio Secretary of Education Ministry of Education PO Box 97 Avarua Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS Phone: +682-29357 Mobile: +682-52410 Fax: +682-28357 Email: [email protected]

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Mr. Wayne Mendiola Chief of the Division of Basic Education Department of Education Pohnpei, FM96941 Phone: +691-320-2609 Mobile: +691-920-2923 Fax: +691-320-5500 Email: [email protected]

Marshall Islands Mr. Allison Nashion Acting Secretary Ministry of Education Majuro, Marshall Islands Phone: +692-625-3656, 5261, 5262 Mobile: +692-455-7498 Email: [email protected]

Nauru Dr. Maria Gaiyabu Secretary for Education, Training & Youth Ministry of Education Republic of Nauru Mobile: +674-557-3043 Email: [email protected]

Niue Ms. Janet Sipeli-Tasmania Director for Education Department of Education Alofi,

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Phone: +683-4145, 4602 Fax: +683-4301 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Palau Mr. Emery Wenty Director of Education Administration Ministry of Education Koror, PW 96940 Republic of Palau Phone: +680-488-2952 Email: [email protected]

Samoa Ms. Galumalemana Nu’ufou Petaia Chief Executive Officer Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture Apia, Phone: +685-64600, 64602 Mobile: +685-776-7913 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Tokelau Mr. Junior Thomas Aleta Senior staff member from Matauala School Email: [email protected]

Tonga Ms. Emeli Pouvalu Chief Executive Officer Ministry of Education, Women’s Affair and Culture Nukualofa, Tonga Email: [email protected]

Tuvalu Ms. Katalina Taloka Director, Ministry of Education Secretary General National Commission for UNESCO Funafuti, Tuvalu Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Development partners

Council of Pacific Education Mr Govind Singh Secretary General Council of Pacific Education PO Box 2592 5

Government Buildings Suva, Tel: (676) 331 5664 Fax: (676) 330 5945 Email: [email protected]

PIFS Mr Filipe Jitoko Social Policy Adviser Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Tel: (679)322 0211 Fax: (679) 322 0221 Email: [email protected]

PREL Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber President & CEO, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning 900 Fort Street Mall, Suite 1300 Honolulu, HI 96813-3718 Phone: (808) 441-1334 Mobile: (808) 384-9860 Fax: (808) 441-1416 Email: [email protected]

Mr. Paul Dumas Chief Programs Officer Pacific Resources for Education and Learning 900 Fort Street Mall, Suite 1300 Honolulu, HI 96813-3718 Phone: (808) 441-1332 Fax: (808) 441-1385 Email: [email protected]

SPC/SPBEA Ms Ana Raivoce Director Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment Box 2083 Government Buildings Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 331 5600 Fax: (679) 337 8599 Email: [email protected]

Mr. Lafi Sanerivi Senior Educational Assessment Specialist Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment 6

Box 2083 Government Buildings Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 331 5600 Fax: (679) 337 8599 Email: [email protected]

UNESCO Dr Visesio Pongi Director and Representative UNESCO Office for the Pacific States PO Box 615 Matautu-Uta, Apia Samoa Tel: (685) 24276 Fax: (685) 26493 Email: [email protected]

Mr Toshiyuki Matsumoto Programme Specialist UNESCO Office for the Pacific States PO Box 615 Matautu-Uta, Apia Samoa Tel: (685) 24276 Fax: (685) 26493 Email: [email protected]

UNICEF Ms Emmanuelle Abrioux Chief - Education UNICEF PACIFIC Level 5, FDB Building 360 Victoria Parade Private Mail Bag Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 330 0439 Fax: (679) 330 1667 Email: [email protected]

USP Dr Akanisi Kedrayate Dean, Faculty of Arts & Law University of the South Pacific Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 323 2049 Fax: (679) 323 1552 Email: [email protected] 7

Mr. Ishwa Lingam Senior Lecturer in Education Faculty of Arts and Law University of the South Pacific Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 323 2311 Email: [email protected]

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