The Pacific Regional Education Framework Facilitating Unit (PFU) successfully organised the first face-to-face PacREF Implementing Agencies (IA’s) Fono to discuss key topics related to the PacREF and its impact in the region.
Hosted by the Institute of Education in the USP Tonga Campus, the Implementing Agencies (IAs) are gathering to also review and update all PacREF documents, aligning them with the evolving regional and global education landscape.
As PacREF approaches the final year of Phase 1 and the start of Phase 2, the workshop aims to refine the Phase 2 program and discuss key topics, including cultural, traditional, and linguistic integration in education
Focusing on a more coordinated approach among the Implementing Agencies of the PacREF, the Fono propelled more engagement between the IAs.
Technical Advisor Education for UNICEF Pacific, an implementing agency for PacREF, Gail Townsend, led the reflective session during the Fono.
“The IA Fono recalled the history of PacREF and its intent to provide a framework for Pacific countries to work together towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 – Quality Education through a Pacific lens. It is to provide opportunity for regional collaboration between countries and with partners to ensure no child in the Pacific is left behind,” she said.
Ms Townsend highlighted the Fono were challenged to consider how they were ensuring the six principles of PacREF were being upheld through implementation.
“This included discussions on regionalism, equity, efficiency, sustainability and quality through the lens of Pacific evidence and practice,” she said.
The Pacific Regional Education Framework is driven by six principles:
- Regionalism and mutually beneficial partnerships
- Application of evidence to policy and practice
- Efficiency in the use of resources
- Equity in access and opportunity
- High quality and relevant inputs
- Sustainable and high-quality outcomes
Through the PacREF Implementing Agencies Fono, PacREF steadfastly adheres to its core principles, serving as the bedrock for its impactful initiatives in the region. The commitment to regionalism and mutually beneficial partnerships highlights PacREF’s dedication to fostering collaboration among Pacific countries and partners, uniting efforts toward the common goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education.
The Fono plays a critical role as a platform for constructive criticism, identifying areas for improvement to fully support country engagement, ownership, and outcomes of PacREF. Communication challenges within and between agencies and countries were also addressed, and strategic solutions were discussed during the workshop.
The Fono also provided an opportunity for Implementing Agencies to convene, fostering stronger collaboration to better coordinate their activities.
PacREF Coordinator Filipe Jitoko, says that “the Fono has proven to be an effective consultative forum for the IAs to ensure their collaboration adds value to country efforts in moving towards their national education targets as well as moving the region towards meeting the SDG4 targets”.
The four-day workshop will conclude on Friday, January 19 – marking a monumental initiative to enrich dialogue between the IAs.
PFU looks forward to working closely with IA’s (The University of the South Pacific– PTAFE, IoE, DoE , APTC Australia, EQAP-SPC, UNESCO, UNICEF; Regional partner, Pacific Islands Forum and donor partners: ADB, GPE, New Zealand and Australian Government and our member countries to implement the PacREF programme.
