July Newsletter 2024

Aug 26, 2024 | Newsletters | 0

For Vanuatu’s Independence month, the team at Sista spent it hustling – whether it was submitting reports for the EOFY, or creating spaces to celebrate and acknowledge the diverse voices of women and young girls in Vanuatu and across the region, we were constantly busy!

We started off July by organizing the Vanuatu Pre-Forum for the 15^th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women with CARE in Vanuatu! This forum provided a platform for stakeholders to develop an outcome statement for the upcoming 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands – which the team followed and acknowledged online – and help set the tone for #CSW69 next year. Sista’s Communications team also created two short reels at the Pre Forum by capturing Behind The Scenes from the event and key interviews of Power house women.

We celebrated the phenomenal Melissa Bule in our Sista Gat Style feature, acknowledged and supported Anna Naupa’s literature initiative, “Sot Sot Storian”, reflected on the wonderful work we’ve done so far this year with CARE in Vanuatu and reminded people of the importance of equality at home on Children’s Day!

READ more to find out what July threw at the Sista team!

Projects

Melissa Bule – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

To celebrate our Independence month, we shine light on the fabulous Melissa Bule!

Hailing from the island of Pentecost, Melissa is a passionate project manager at NAOIA consultancy in Port Vila, where she specializes in communications, marketing, and event coordination.

Melissa is a firm believer in putting God first in everything she does. She aspires to be an influential youth leader, inspiring young boys and girls to empower each other and shape a brighter future for their community. This comes as no surprise as Melissa is a Young Women’s Leadership Program Alumni who volunteers her time in her various roles as a Bible Class teacher, Tanuah Boys Band board member, Vanuatu National Youth Council member, Pacific Women Lead youth representative and Vice Chair of the Pacific Youth Council.

For Melissa, being Ni-Vanuatu means embracing a rich cultural heritage, celebrating diversity, and preserving traditions that have shaped her identity. She sees it as a source of pride and a commitment to contribute positively to society. We are proud to celebrate Melissa for Vanuatu’s 44th Independence anniversary month!

#SistaGatStyle #IndependenceMonth #WomanPentecost #YoungWomanLeader #Faith #Beautiful #Strong

Vois Blong Mi Films with CARE in Vanuatu

To celebrate Children’s Day, we shared the FIRST out of three powerful videos that we created in partnership with the Vois Blong Mi (VBM) team at CARE in Vanuatu: Olsem Wanem Sapos Yumi Wok Semak?

This short film highlights the reality of young girls in Tanna and is an eye-opening look at the unequal distribution of household chores. Chores shouldn’t be seen as gender roles but a necessary life skill for both boys and girls to have.

BIG THANKS to our partners at CARE in Vanuatu, MATAKAMBU for filming and producing these videos, and to the wonderful actors from the Youth Centre at Wan Smolbag ! – we wouldn’t have been able to bring the young women’s ideas to life without your support.

The ‘Laef Blong Mi, Vois Blong Mi’ project is part of the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program’s Pacific Girl initiative, supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

WATCH the video now!

Vanuatu Pre-Forum on the 15^th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women with CARE in Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Pre-Forum on the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women was organized by CARE and Sista on Tuesday, 16th July 2024, at Warwick Le Lagoon. The pre-forum provided a platform for stakeholders to develop an outcome statement that would support discussions at the upcoming 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and help set the tone for #CSW69 next year.

This event aimed to unite civil society in advancing gender equality and addressing key issues affecting women and girls in Vanuatu. The event featured participants from various organizations including CARE Vanuatu, Sista, Silae Vanua, Save the Children, WINGS Vanuatu, OXFAM, UN Women, Action Aid, Vanuatu Youth Challenge, Parliament representatives, Vanuatu Women’s Centre, DFAT, NAB sec/MOCC, VFHA, VANGO, and many others.

Keynote speakers included Betty Toa from UN Women, Wilma Sinumila from CARE Vanuatu, and MP Julia Gloria King. Their speeches highlighted the importance of collective action, the challenges women face, and the need for persistent advocacy for gender equality.

The pre-forum commenced with three panel discussions focusing on health of women and girls, prevention of gender-based violence, and gender-responsive climate justice. Panelists like Anne Pakoa, Dr. Boniface Damatalao, Tatavola Matas, and Polly Walker provided insights on these topics. Following the panels, a World Café discussion allowed participants to delve deeper into these areas, identify gaps, and collaborate on developing the outcome statement.

Quotes from speakers emphasized the importance of overcoming fear, working together, and the critical need for female leadership in Vanuatu. The pre-forum showcased a strong commitment to amplifying women’s voices and advancing gender equality in the region.

Many thanks to CARE in Vanuatu for collaborating with us at Sista to carry out the Pre-Forum for the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women, and to everyone who contributed to these important discussions.

Read the Outcome Statement HERE!

SotSot Storian Awards Ceremony with Vanuatu Literature

In an exciting development for Vanuatu’s literary scene, the ‘Sot Sot Storian’ micro-fiction writing competition, organized by Nabanga Pikinini, Alliance Française, Sista, and Melanesian Women Today, successfully concluded with an awards ceremony on Monday, 29 July 2024, at the Alliance Française.

The awards ceremony brought together several writers, representatives from partnering organizations, including Blue Prosperity, and family and friends to witness and listen to some of the remarkable ‘Sot Sot Storian’ pieces. This event celebrated the creativity and storytelling of the participants while strengthening the bonds within Vanuatu’s writing community.

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the youth category and open category!

Youth Category: first place “The Ocean” by Mislin Wari, second place “A Formidable Body” by James Rint, and third place “Tortue de Lumière” by Orihane Laloyer.
Open Category, the winners were: joint first place “Paran Ire” by Jodie Kapalu and “A Keloid Scar” by Leina Isno, second place “Blonde Hair” by Cathy Hite Sakumalefo, and third place “Freedom” by Polly Walker-Dorras.

Read other participant’s pieces HERE.

CARE in Vanuatu and Sista Reflection Meeting

On July 10th, 2024, CARE International, and Sista Team carried out a reflection meeting at the CARE office, conference room, Nambatri. It was an opportunity for us to review and reflect on the collaborative projects undertaken by Sista in partnership with CARE.

We started off with a detailed overview of the project components which included, the Young Women’s Leadership Program held in Port Vila and Tanna, the Mentorship session with young men as part of the new Young Men’s Program and the film series under the Vois Blong Mi project.

Sista’s Project team shared significant achievements and challenges faced during these projects. Reflecting on the projects we came to see the importance of learning from both successes and challenges. The teams identified key areas for improvement and discussed strategies to improve future project outcomes.

The meeting concluded with a forward-looking discussion on strengthening and adding value to ongoing and future programs. Emphasis was placed on enhancing communication, leveraging the strengths of each team member, and demonstrating meaningful support. THANK YOU CARE in Vanuatu for the partnership this year! We’re excited to be continuing this learning journey with you.

Strengthening Sista’s Platforms

Sista’s Communications team have taken steps to strengthen their work, in particular showcasing the tremendous work Sista has been doing over the years.

This month, we published several articles on the Sista website documenting the project activities we carried out in the first half of the year through ongoing support from our partners and donors! – THANK YOU, we truly appreciate your support.

Other News

Department of Women’s Affairs Visit

On 10^th July 2024, The Sista team was honored to welcome Rothina Ilo Noka, Director of Department of Women’s Affairs and Seman Saraken, at the Sista office to meet the team, share our work for the past years and our projects for the upcoming year. Sista looks forward to supporting the national women’s machinery to progress gender equality and we are committed to aligning our work with the National Gender Equality Policy.

Vanuatu Behaviour Change Communication session – Vanuatu National Youth Council

The Vanuatu Behavior Change Communication (BCC) event, held on July 11 at the Grand Hotel in Port Vila, focused on addressing key issues related to Sexual Reproductive Health and Family Planning (SRH&FP) in Vanuatu.

Key discussions were led by experts like Jeremy Miller from ABC International Development, Roslyn David from the UNFPA, Joe Higgs Kalo from the Vanuatu National Youth Council and shared statistics data by a representative from the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics that shared their findings that helped a lot with the discussions. It was also an opportunity for participants

to share successful strategies and identify challenges, aiming to create a collaborative framework for better resource management and coordinated actions.

The workshop included various interactive sessions, group activities, and presentations that helped identify priorities and strategies for the next 12-24 months.

Thank you Vanuatu National Youth Council for inviting Sista into this important space, we look forward to working together to address this topic further in the future!

New Gate Minds Magazines

On July 8th, we received two brand new zine magazines from Gate Minds: Rising Voices Volume 2 and Emotional Intelligence and Psychological First Aid Toolkit.

These resources feature writings from individuals living in contemporary society and a toolkit offering strategies for all ages to navigate emotions, especially following distressing events like natural disasters.

Shout out to Sarah Freeman for this initiative and for creating space for young people to express themselves!

NEW SPACE, who this?

At the beginning of July, Sista’s Finance Team moved into a new office! Our team is expanding, and it’s heartwarming to see how we’re continuing to inspire and advocate for women and girls. A big thank you to Mahuk for helping us purchase new office furniture and supplies. Your support is truly appreciated.

As you may know, Sista is a small organization with a dedicated team of 9 employees, including young girls and mothers. We have our project team, comms team, and finance team, all working together to make a difference. As our Sista family grows, we’re thrilled to welcome new team members and look forward to the future.

Thank you to all our donors and the amazing Sista team for your continued support!

Wilkins Family Foundation Support – Mahuk

Through Mahuk, we were also able to a donation to the Wilkins Family Foundation to assist with the Education is Hope film launch that took place on July 18th. A huge congratulations to the Wilkins Family with their official launch of the film. WATCH their inspiring film now!

Regional Gender Strategy Plan Consultation – Oxfam in Vanuatu

Oxfam in the Pacific is currently developing a new regional gender design and strategy plan to help chart a clear vision for their gender justice pillar and ensure that it reflects the unique needs and priorities of the Pacific region. The strategy will serve as a living document to establish a clear direction for implementing gender-focused programs and attempt to establish a fair and inclusive society where both women and men in all their diversity enjoy equal rights and opportunities. The Executive Director of Sista and Acting program manager attended this consultation on the 9th of July. The purpose of the meeting was to engage stakeholders, both current and potential partners, in discussions surrounding gender work in Vanuatu and the broader region.

Oxfam hoped to explore what been successful in the past, what has not worked, and identify urgent gender issues that have yet to be addressed. This meeting provided a wonderful opportunity to have conversations that allowed Sista to deepen our relationship with Oxfam and the National youth Council for future collaborations.

Ongoing support from FRIDA

We purchased material under FRIDA for our staff uniform and wore them out for a team lunch to mark the end of the Financial Year. On the 2nd of July, we signed our renewal grant agreement with FRIDA for another year. Thank you to FRIDA for their ongoing support and for this wonderful partnership.

Capacity Building with Penpena Mouri

On the 8th of July, we did a Capacity Assessment with Penpena Mouri. The purpose of the capacity assessment was to ascertain their capacity level in certain areas and see where they may need support. Sista has partnered with Penpena Mouri since 2022 to carry out common projects and despite being an emerging organization herself, Sista is committed to fostering sisterhood with other emerging organizations to contribute to a resilient and vibrant women’s movement in Vanuatu that will collectively work towards achieving gender equality for all.

PSEAH Refresher with Australian Volunteers Program

On Tuesday 23^rd July 2024, Sista’s Finance & Admin Officer attended a workshop that the Australian Volunteers Program held on the development of policy to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. The workshop aimed to bring together our various partner organizations to learn about the current legal framework in Vanuatu for handling SEAH in the workplace. It also provided an opportunity for organizations that were present to share their experiences in developing policies and approaches to address this issue, also to discuss the support the Program can offer in creating PSEAH policies.

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‘The scars children carry can last a lifetime’ August 13, 2026
Amid the public outrage and questions over the President’s recent pardoning of convicted rapists and the alarming increase in child abuse cases in Vanuatu, the REACH Family Centre is calling on Parliament to pass the proposed Child Protection Bill, saying stronger laws are needed to hold people who abuse children accountable. Every day at the REACH Family Centre, Mansen Roy and Salokie Narfi work alongside children experiencing challenges no child should face. Some are struggling with overwhelming stress. Others are navigating violence at home, bullying, online harm and the fear of speaking out. For Narfi, a counsellor and group work practitioner for children and adolescents, the hardest part is seeing how many suffer in silence. “Children want to come for help, but they are scared of the consequences,” she says. “Some are afraid their parents will find out. Others are afraid nobody will believe them.” Using drawing, play therapy and other child-friendly approaches, Narfi helps children express emotions they cannot find the words for. She remembers one child who repeatedly blacked out at school. “Through counselling, the child understood the emotional pain carried,” she says. “The mother also received counselling. Today that child is brighter, more confident and looking forward to the future.” But not every story has such a hopeful ending. Roy, REACH’s Acting Executive Director, says many of the challenges children face are made worse by gaps in protection and understanding. “Violence against children remains one of the biggest issues,” he says. “We should teach, guide and love children,” he says. “Wrong treatment can create trauma that children carry for their whole lives, like a scar that never goes away.” Against this backdrop, REACH is pushing for the proposed Child Protection Bill to reach Parliament and become law. Both Roy and Narfi say the legislation would strengthen their work by creating a clearer approach to responding when children are at risk of serious harm, including sexual abuse. It would also help place children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. “This Bill will support our work in the field,” Mansen says. “The justice system punishes perpetrators, but what about the survivors? Children also need healing, psychological support and protection to move forward into the future.” Narfi says the law would also ensure serious cases of abuse are recognised early and responded to properly. “Children are the future of the country,” she says. “If this Bill passes, we can build a stronger Vanuatu with children who are supported, protected and able to become the future leaders of our nation.” REACH is one of the few organisations in Vanuatu providing holistic support to entire families, working with mothers, fathers and children together because lasting change begins at home. Yet the demand for counselling and mental health support continues to grow, while resources remain limited. Roy believes passing the Child Protection Bill is no longer simply a legal decision – it is a moral one. “Child protection affects everyone because every one of us was once a child,” he says. For the children who are too frightened to speak, and for those still carrying invisible scars, the time to act is now. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Man remanded over alleged sexual assault of four-year-old girl August 13, 2026
A man from Tanna has been remanded in custody after being charged over the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old girl at Salili on Efate last week. The accused, identified in a remand warrant as Simeon Tom Yatika, appeared before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026. He is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse, contrary to section 97(1) of the Penal Code [CAP 135]. The prosecution applied for the accused to be held in custody, and the court granted the application. The warrant directs the officer in charge of the Correctional Centre to keep Yatika in custody until his next appearance on 25 August 2026 at 9am. A source close to the Magistrates’ Court said the court was informed that the alleged victim suffered injuries and experienced difficulty using the toilet after the incident. The court also reportedly heard that the accused had been receiving mental health care but had not attended medical appointments for some time. The circumstances surrounding that information remain matters for the court and relevant medical professionals to consider. The allegations have not been tested at trial. The accused has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case has caused concern and renewed public frustration over the protection of children and the handling of sexual offence cases in Vanuatu. Many members of the public are expected to question whether vulnerable children are receiving adequate protection, medical care and support after alleged abuse. The case also comes amid wider criticism from women’s groups over the treatment of child sex offenders and calls for stronger safeguards in decisions involving pardons and accountability. Women’s groups have recently urged the Government to review the presidential pardon process following the pardoning of men convicted of sexually abusing children. Community members have called for the justice system to respond firmly to allegations involving children, while also stressing the importance of allowing the courts to assess the evidence fairly and independently. Under Vanuatu law, sexual intercourse with a child under 13 is a serious criminal offence, with the law providing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The prosecution must nevertheless prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction can be entered. The matter remains before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court. The child’s identity has been withheld to protect her privacy. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Cervical cancer preventable, yet a leading cause of death among Vanuatu women August 12, 2026
Minister of Health Robert Bohn said cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Vanuatu, yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination, screening and early treatment. Speaking at the official launch of the Vanuatu National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy 2026–2035 yesterday, Minister Bohn said access to these highly effective prevention measures had previously been limited or unavailable in Vanuatu. As a result, women were often diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, when treatment options were limited and survival rates were lower. Minister Bohn said the launch reaffirmed a collective commitment to ensuring women and girls have access to prevention, screening and treatment services, with their health, dignity and future at the centre of the national effort. “The Vanuatu Strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem and its 90-70-90 coverage targets: 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV by age 15; 70 per cent of women screened with an HPV test or other high-performance test by ages 35 and 45; and 90 per cent of women with cervical pre-cancer treated and women with invasive cancer appropriately managed,” he said. The Minister of Health said the Government of Vanuatu, through this strategy, is reaffirming its commitment to achieving these goals by 2035. Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu now has accessible, culturally appropriate and scalable approaches to prevention, and together the country can make a difference for women and families across the country. “The country has already made significant progress on this pathway, and today I would like to acknowledge the persistence, advocacy and hard work of health and community workers to reduce the preventable burden, incidence, illness and death caused by cervical cancer,” he said. “An opportunistic screening programme has existed since 2008, with national Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening implemented in 2022, and close to 20,000 women screened to date. The hard work of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, the Vanuatu Family Health Association and the Ikkana Cancer Society has meant that access to screening has been made available across all provinces, with over 3,500 women receiving treatment.” Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu is also protecting girls from cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, with the national HPV vaccination programme beginning in 2023 and 16,412 girls vaccinated to date. He said this ensures that today’s girls grow up protected, empowered and free from a disease that previously often arrived too late for treatment. “With continued awareness and coordinated delivery strategies, communities learn that the HPV vaccine protects their children and they therefore want their children to be vaccinated,” he said. “As we endorse this document, we acknowledge the journey of women and families affected, the conscientious efforts of health and community workers to improve health outcomes and the valued collaboration of international partners which strengthens our progress. “The Strategy presents a roadmap to strengthen and sustain current efforts, prioritising primary health care, public health approaches and people-centred service delivery tailored to the Vanuatu context.” Minister Bohn said sustained progress would require long-term, sustainable financing and continued coordinated efforts across sectors and disciplines to ensure Vanuatu remains on the path to eliminating cervical cancer. He said the Government of Vanuatu is committed to ensuring activities are adequately coordinated, funded and maintained over time. “Government commits to ensuring that no woman is left unseen, no girl unprotected, and no life lost to a preventable disease,” he said. The senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, medical lead for the cervical cancer screening programme and chairperson of the development of the cervical cancer elimination strategy, Dr Boniface Damutalau, said the document launched yesterday provides a roadmap for combating cervical cancer. He said cervical cancer screening began in 2022 using new technologies to detect pre-cancerous lesions, and the launch of the strategy provides guidance for screening, vaccination, treatment and sustainability of the programme through to 2035. “It’s a document that helps us with a roadmap of how we do our screening, our vaccination, our treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, and also it will help us with the sustainability of the programme for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. Dr Damutalau said available data shows around 18 per cent of women have HPV infection, although he believes the figure could be higher because the hospital continues to see two or three new cervical cancer cases each month. He explained that the best way to prevent cervical cancer is through immunisation of young girls aged around 9 to 14 years and regular screening. Dr Damutalau said screening is the only way to detect cervical cancer early, allowing treatment to begin before the disease progresses. He said Vanuatu can currently treat stage 1 cervical cancer locally, while women with more advanced stages must travel overseas for further treatment. “There are a lot of challenges. I think the biggest ones that we encounter are that Vanuatu is very sparse, with different islands, so there is a lot of geography we have to go through, and human resources are also one of the important things that we combat every day,” he said. “Human resources across ministries are not enough, but we always try to reach as far as where women live, from remote places in the north down to the south.” Dr Damutalau acknowledged the efforts made by women who come forward to clinics for screening. He said there are currently two clinics providing services, one in Port Vila and one in Luganville. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and once a woman becomes infected, the virus can change cells on the cervix, causing them to become cancerous. Dr Damutalau said most HPV infections clear naturally, but some remain and can increase the risk of cervical cancer. He said about 90 per cent of cervical cancers are linked to HPV, which is why vaccination and early screening are important. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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More boys than girls drop out of school August 12, 2026
More boys than girls are dropping out of secondary schools in Vanuatu, with TORBA Province recording the highest dropout rate. Boys are repeating grades more than girls at both primary and secondary levels across all provinces, and TORBA Province again has the highest repetition rate. These findings were conveyed by the Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), John Gideon, in his presentation to set the tone for discussions at the National Education Forum in Port Vila. He said more boys are leaving school for reasons beyond the classroom, such as the cost of education, distance to school and boarding challenges. In 2016, Vanuatu came up with a policy requiring children to start formal primary school at age 6. Director Gideon revealed that the net enrolment rate has been declining since 2023, with girls recording a higher rate while boys’ participation remains lower. Girls also recorded higher gross enrolment rates than boys at every level. Director Gideon also mentioned that the education system is not retaining students, especially at the secondary level. He said about 41 out of every 100 children who start Year 1 remain in school by Year 6, and only about 5 out of every 100 continue through to Year 13. Director Gideon highlighted that the number of early childhood centres has decreased since 2022, primary schools have remained stable, while secondary schools have grown the most, with 67 new schools established since 2015. “There are over 5,400 teachers, but they are not where the students are,” he said. SHEFA, TAFEA and SANMA have the most senior secondary schools, while TORBA faces a severe shortage of junior secondary teachers. Director Gideon encouraged participants at the forum to examine what the data reveals about boys’ engagement in the education system, how to increase enrolment in early childhood and the relationship between enrolment and student progress. Currently, 104,510 students are enrolled across more than 1,000 registered schools in Vanuatu. However, Director General Cherol Ala pointed out that not all children are in school, highlighting the need to improve access, enrolment and participation. While literacy and numeracy outcomes continue to decline, she said monitoring of the nationwide Curriculum Improvement Program (CIP), launched last year, is showing improved outcomes in student learning. Other challenges she mentioned include student and teacher attendance, high dropout rates, limited access to formal training and qualifications, school infrastructure, access to schools and rolling out internet connectivity. She reminded everyone about the ministry’s mission to provide young people with lifelong skills, values and confidence to become self-reliant and contribute to development. Throughout the four-day National Education Forum, government leaders, educators and partners have discussed what has not worked and what needs to be done to improve education outcomes. The forum ends today. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu’s education crisis a ‘national disaster’ – Pikinini Playtime CEO August 12, 2026
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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July Newsletter 2024

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Paran Ire (Woman of the Sea) – Jodie Kapalu

July Newsletter 2024

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