International Development

Education and Human Resource Development

Changing children’s futures in Tonga

Project:

Tonga - Education Support Program, Curriculum Reform Project

Countries:

Tonga

Client:

Ministry of Education, Women and Culture, Government of Tonga (funded by MFAT, NZAID and AusAID)

Contract Period:

2007 - 2011

This project supported reform to the curriculum for basic education by creating a framework and syllabus that is uniquely Tongan. This was achieved by reflecting the educational and developmental needs and aspirations of the Tongan people, society and culture.  The revised curriculum will enable students with appropriate tools, teaching and learning experiences to be active and productive members of their local communities, with the capacity to contribute to national development in a global economy.

The project has provided support through institutional development, working in partnership with subject curriculum writers and national subject specialists in Tonga to review and develop a new syllabus for Years 1-9. Along with providing support for teaching materials and professional development, the project has helped to build the capacity of the Ministry of Education, Women and Culture to better manage external assistance towards their education development aspirations.