67 PENAMA educators convene ahead of national reform talks

Jun 10, 2026 | News | 0

A three-day principals’ and teachers’ conference held in PENAMA Province has provided educators with an opportunity to discuss key challenges and priorities in the education sector ahead of the upcoming national education reform consultations.

Principal Education Officer (PEO) for PENAMA Province, John Tari, said the conference was hosted at the provincial headquarters and brought together 67 principals and teachers representing 10 Area Councils across the province.

Mr. Tari said participants were selected based on their active contributions to education within their respective areas. The conference, held last week, included representatives from primary schools, secondary schools, and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres.

“The purpose of the conference was to bring educators together to share ideas and prepare for the education reform discussions that will take place in Port Vila next month,” he said.

Mr. Tari explained that participants met to discuss their experiences, identify challenges, and develop resolutions that will be presented during the national education reform meeting scheduled from July 13 to July 16.

He said many of the discussions focused on challenges affecting education service delivery in PENAMA Province, including teaching and learning quality, school management, and strengthening teachers’ capacity.

The PEO said similar conferences are being held in provinces throughout Vanuatu, with PENAMA fortunate to have completed its three-day meeting last week.

He expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the conference, particularly the quality of discussions and the resolutions developed by participants.

“I am pleased to see our principals taking part in high-level discussions, especially on matters relating to policy development and policy review,” Mr. Tari said.

He added that participants would return to their schools with valuable information to share with teachers, colleagues, parents, and communities about the future direction of education in Vanuatu and the Government’s vision for achieving the targets of the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2030.

As one of Vanuatu’s most disaster-prone provinces, PENAMA has faced numerous natural disasters over the years, including the Ambae volcanic eruptions, Tropical Cyclone (TC) Harold, and TC Lola.

Mr. Tari said these experiences have strengthened the resilience of teachers, principals, students, and communities throughout the province.

“The mass evacuation of Ambae and other disasters have strengthened our communities and motivated educators to continue providing quality education despite difficult circumstances,” he said.

He noted that resilience and disaster preparedness were among the key topics discussed during the conference, particularly in relation to improving education services during times of crisis.

The conference also examined ways to improve teaching and learning outcomes, strengthen school leadership and management, and improve student learning through increased teacher support and professional development.

Mr. Tari said community engagement was another important area of discussion, with participants recognising the need to strengthen partnerships between schools, parents, and communities.

Area Administrators (AAs) from across PENAMA were invited to attend the conference and provide their perspectives on education service delivery within the province.

Mr. Tari said their contributions were valuable and would help school leaders build stronger relationships between schools, communities, and local government administrations.

He further explained that PENAMA’s education office has established focal points in each of the province’s 10 Area Councils, known as “key principals”, who serve as the eyes and ears of the provincial education office within their respective areas.

These key principals play an important role in supporting schools through training, responding to challenges and emergencies, assisting during disasters, and monitoring school operations.

Mr. Tari said they regularly visit schools to assess performance, ensure compliance with reporting requirements, review planning processes, and support the implementation of school development plans.

He said these efforts are helping strengthen education delivery across PENAMA Province and ensure schools remain responsive to the needs of students and communities.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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A prison sentence is not a child protection plan The Ministry argues that reports of criminal convictions reveal much less about what happens to the children themselves after abuse is discovered. “The cases reported in the newspapers tell us something about how Vanuatu’s criminal justice system responds to child sexual abuse. But they tell us much less about what happens to the children themselves,” MOJYCS says. Referring to the five-year-old girl whose father was sentenced for sexually assaulting her, the Ministry says the court’s decision explains the consequences for the perpetrator but does not establish what protection was put in place when the abuse came to light, whether other children were at risk or what support was available to help her recover. These questions, the Ministry says, are just as important as the criminal prosecution. The MOJYCS describes a situation in which a girl tells her teacher that someone at home has been sexually abusing her. She is frightened to return home, her mother may be financially dependent on the perpetrator, and younger children in the household may also be at risk. “The police can investigate the crime. But who assesses whether she is safe to go home that afternoon? Who helps her family find a safe way forward? Who ensures she receives medical care, counselling and ongoing support? And who follows up to make sure she remains safe?” the Ministry asks. “These questions cannot wait months or years for a criminal trial to conclude.” Vanuatu already has laws criminalising rape, incest and other sexual offences. Police, prosecutors and courts play an essential role in investigating crimes and holding perpetrators accountable. However, the MOJYCS says criminal investigations and child protection responses serve different purposes. “A criminal investigation asks whether an offence was committed and who is responsible. A child protection response must ask a different, equally urgent question: is this child safe, and what needs to happen now to protect them?” the Ministry says. “Protecting a child must begin when abuse comes to light, not when a perpetrator is convicted.” The Ministry says this is why the proposed Child Protection Bill matters. The Bill seeks to establish a stronger legal framework for protecting children at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It would establish clearer reporting responsibilities, strengthen the authority of child protection officers to assess and respond to abuse, and provide mechanisms for emergency protection, court orders and safe alternative care. The MOJYCS says these measures would establish clear responsibilities and provide the legal authority needed to intervene when a child is in danger. “A child who discloses sexual abuse needs more than a police investigation. That child needs to be safe tonight, tomorrow and in the months and years that follow,” the Ministry says. Parliament has an opportunity to act The MOJYCS recognises that families, chiefs, churches and communities all have important roles in protecting children. However, it says informal arrangements and goodwill are not always enough when abuse occurs within a family or community. Children need a system with clear legal responsibilities, trained professionals and the authority to intervene when their safety is at risk, the Ministry says. It also cautions that legislation alone will not end child sexual abuse. A strong Child Protection Bill must be backed by trained child protection officers, accessible services, effective referral pathways and sustained investment, including in rural and remote communities. Without these investments, the MOJYCS warns, the promise of stronger legal protection risks remaining just that — a promise. For children experiencing abuse, the Ministry says, the issues are not abstract questions about legislation or government responsibilities. They concern immediate safety, dignity, care and recovery. The MOJYCS says a child’s access to protection should not depend on where they live, whom they know or whether someone happens to be available to help when they disclose abuse. “To the MPs who will consider the Child Protection Bill this month: the children behind these headlines deserve more than our concern. They deserve action,” the Ministry says. “Vanuatu cannot undo the abuse these children have suffered. But it can decide what happens when the next child comes forward. “Pass a strong Child Protection Bill. Commit the resources needed to make it work. And ensure that when a read more…

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