20 public service leaders graduate from leadership program

Nov 18, 2024 | News | 0

Twenty public service leaders, comprising 11 women and 9 men, have graduated from the inaugural Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP).

They graduated yesterday after completing a three-month intensive program that included leadership workshops, a week-long adaptive leadership course, team-building retreats at Le Life Resort, and personalized coaching sessions.

The program, facilitated by accredited trainers from Vanuatu and Australia, culminated in the graduates receiving a Certificate in Professional Development in Public Service Workplace Leadership from the University of the South Pacific.

Human Resource Manager at PSC, underscored the profound importance of the program in his address.

“Leadership in public service is a calling that requires more than just technical skills and expertise. Throughout this program, you have gained the skills and tools to lead with vision, inspire others, drive meaningful change, and prioritize the common good,” he said.

Bong acknowledged the Australian Government’s financial support through the Balance of Power Program, emphasizing the potential for similar initiatives across other government ministries in partnership with the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM) and PSC.

Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Emily Fisher, commended the graduates for their dedication to professional growth, stating, “Australia is always happy to support the public service in its professional development initiatives.”

The first cohort included management staff from the Corporate Service Unit of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MoJCS) and key justice and community sector agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the Judiciary, the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission, and the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs.

The first Political Advisor of MoJCS, Russel Nari, said the program marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind, fostering a leadership environment that includes both men and women.

“It reinforces our commitment to gender equality and the cultivation of a diverse, capable leadership pool within the public service.

“The next steps are clear: we must continue to identify and nurture emerging leaders from all sectors of government. We must ensure that public servants have the skills, tools, and support to guide our country into a new era—one that is inclusive, progressive, and sustainable.”

The graduation ceremony was attended by over 70 guests, including representatives from the Public Service Commission, government ministries, and international partners.

PSLP, an initiative of the PSC, is facilitated by VIPAM and supported by the Australian Government through the Balance of Power Program. VIPAM and Balance of Power are preparing for the next cohort of the PSLP, with various government ministries eager to enrol participants.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Pikinini Playtime founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Batten has described Vanuatu’s education situation as a “national disaster”, warning that poor literacy outcomes among children could affect the country’s future development. Speaking during an interview on Kava Mo Kajap, Mr. Batten said reports that around 70 per cent of children are unable to read and write at the expected level should be treated as a serious national concern. “I think it is a national disaster, like a hurricane or an earthquake,” Mr. Batten said. He said Vanuatu’s greatest resource is not its land or natural resources, but its people, and education is the foundation needed to develop that human resource. “Human resources are the number one resource for Vanuatu,” he said. Mr. Batten said countries that have successfully moved from being less developed to more advanced economies have done so by investing heavily in education and building a skilled population. However, he said Vanuatu’s current education results remain a major concern despite the country spending a significant amount of its national budget on education. “Vanuatu gives a lot of money per capita into education, but the results are still among the lowest in the Pacific,” he said. The Pikinini Playtime founder said the challenge is not only about funding but about how the education system delivers results. He questioned why many students continue to leave school without basic reading and writing skills despite years spent in classrooms. Mr. Batten said the impact of poor education outcomes can also be seen in the country’s workforce, where businesses often recruit skilled workers from overseas to fill positions. “We bring people from the Philippines and other countries to do accounting, bookkeeping, management, building and supervisory work, but many ni-Vanuatu are not able to take those opportunities because they do not have the basic education,” he said. He said the literacy issue must be addressed early because children who fail to develop strong reading skills in their early years often struggle throughout their education journey. Mr. Batten also raised concerns about the value placed on education within the system. He said teacher absenteeism, weak accountability and a lack of support for educators contribute to children losing confidence in learning. “When children see that school is not important, they begin to believe they don’t need school,” he said. Mr. Batten acknowledged that many teachers are working under difficult conditions but said the system needs stronger support, training and leadership to improve outcomes. He believes improving education requires everyone involved — government, schools, teachers, principals and parents — to work together. “Children are smart. They have the ability. But they need the right support and the right opportunities,” he said. Mr. Batten said addressing literacy must become a national priority because the future of Vanuatu depends on the quality of education provided to today’s children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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