In a significant effort to foster a stronger commitment to education and culture in the Pacific, the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) Facilitating Unit (PFU) through The University of the South Pacific (USP) recently organised a webinar as a platform for stakeholders to discuss key topics surrounding the integration of culture and traditions in Pacific education systems.
The webinar addressed the priority action statement on education and culture set during the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) in Auckland earlier this year.
Notable speakers at the event were Professor Kabini Sanga, Associate Professor, School of Education – Victoria University of Wellington; Dr Seu’ula Johansson – Fua, Director of the USP Institute of Education (IOE); Dr Frances Vakauta, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Team Leader – Culture for Development; and USP’s Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, Dr Fiona Willans.
The speakers shared their insights on various aspects, including the modality of embedding culture and traditions in school curriculum, the value of using Pacific indigenous languages in early learning, the role of communities in teaching culture and traditions, and education as a mechanism for revitalising traditional knowledge and culture.
Dr Johansson -Fua emphasised the need to rethink education systems in the face of challenges such as the global pandemic and the ongoing impact of climate change.
She also highlighted the importance of leadership and governance in driving the transformation of education systems to ensure they are sustainable, resilient, and relevant to the changing world.
“It is the political will that is required for transforming our education systems. The political will is needed if we had to embed our cultures and traditions into our education systems. The curriculum is but one aspect of a complex system. The commitment given by the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers earlier this year is a good starting point. That, at the regional level, there is a political will and they have affirmed that place of culture, language, knowledge, arts and education,” she added.
Dr Vakauta emphasised the need for a comprehensive curriculum review to revitalise traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.
She highlighted the importance of integrating Pacific languages as a medium of instruction and as a subject area and stressed the significance of community engagement in the development and delivery of formal and non-formal education, acknowledging the critical role of cultural experts in ensuring the support of the Pacific people.
“We need a new curriculum framework that includes our Pacific languages, cultural heritage, and contemporary arts. Pacific students must learn about cultural appropriation, the protection of intellectual property, and the challenges posed by extractive activities. Integration across multiple subject areas is crucial to provide a holistic understanding of our world and promote cross-cultural understanding,” Dr Vakauta added.
The discussions during the webinar provided valuable insights and guidance for educational planners, policymakers, and stakeholders to work collectively towards transforming Pacific education systems.
The PacREF Facilitating Unit and regional organisations like the SPC and USP will play a crucial role in providing technical support and resources aligned with the region’s knowledge systems and philosophy.
The webinar concluded with a shared vision of nurturing the next generation of custodians, champions, and activists who will carry forward the legacy of Pacific cultures and traditions.
You can access recordings from the July 6 webinar – “Fostering Commitment to Education and Culture” here Pacific Regional Education Framework Webinar Fostering Commitment to Education.mp4
