July Newsletter 2025

Aug 25, 2025 | Newsletters | 0

July was a month of momentum at Sista, full of creativity, collaboration, and celebration.

We celebrated Independence Month through Sista Gat Style, spotlighting Guilaine Nauni – a Ni-Vanuatu mother, artist, and advocate whose work empowers women and single mothers across the country.

Our Leadership Team continued strengthening Sista’s foundation, reviewing edits to the Strategic Plan and providing feedback on the Theory of Change, while preparing for reflection meetings with CARE and collaboration opportunities with the Pacific Feminist Fund.

July also brought exciting engagements and learning opportunities: joining the 249th US Independence Day celebrations, attending a PACMAS pre-consultation meeting, and participating in the UNDP/VANGO Accountability Roundtable, where key insights on governance and civic engagement were shared.

Creative energy flowed through the Wota i Toktok (WIT) artist workshop, generating ideas for September’s exhibition, followed by a reel and social media post to showcase the outcomes. Communications also highlighted national moments, with content developed for Children’s Day and Independence Day to strengthen engagement and amplify women’s and community voices.

On the operational side, our Finance and HR team finalized We Rise and CARE finance reports, reviewed policies with our new Australian volunteer, and prepared logistics for the YWLP internship program in Tanna, ensuring smooth project delivery and continued internal growth.

Across every meeting, workshop, and initiative, one thing was clear: July was about connecting, creating, and moving forward together – a true reflection of the siSTAR spirit! Keep reading to see how July unfolded across our projects and partnerships.

Projects

Guilaine Nauni – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

For our Independence month this year, we’re celebrating Guilaine Nauni – a woman of confidence, compassion and creativity.

With roots grounded in faith and family, Guilaine is a proud Ni-Vanuatu mother, artist, and advocate. She recently stepped away from her role at CARE International in Vanuatu after seven years of service, choosing to pour her heart into her own ventures – from Myrrha’s Fabric Painting to consulting, and uplifting single mothers through grassroots support.

Her style? Natural, radiant, and deeply rooted in self-worth.

Whether she’s painting fabrics, singing, or spending time with her daughter, she carries herself with grace, joy, and a quiet strength that inspires everyone around her.

Guided by the words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Guilaine lives her life with purpose – choosing self-care, embracing her uniqueness, and empowering others to see the beauty they already carry.

#SistaGatStyle #NiVanuatuWoman #Confident #Empowered #SingleMother #Artist #FaithDriven #NaturalBeauty

Strategic Planning and Draft theory of change

On the 1st of July 2025, the Sista Leadership team, except for the Human Resource and Finance Manager, met with Amy Green to review the changes and edits she had suggested for the Strategic workplan and provided feedback on the Theory of change diagram she has developed. This is part of the final processes for the strategic plan and Theory of Change for Sista.

Early celebration of 249th Independence of USA

On the 2nd of Jully 2025, Sista’s Executive Director was honoured to join in the celebration of the 249th Independence of the United States of America and extends heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Anne Marie Yastishock for the kind invitation.

PACMAS pre-consultation meeting

On the 3rd of July, Sista’s Executive Director attended a PACMAS pre-consultation meeting. In the coming months, keep your eyes out for The Roundtable 2.0 supported by PACMAS. We are excited to partner with this team and bring you an exciting new podcast video, hosted by Sista’s ED and featuring thinktanks of Vanuatu. In the meantime, dialogue is still underway on fine tuning the concept to bring this podcast to life!

Creative Workshop with Artists – Water for Women Fund and University of Technology, Sydney

On Friday 4th of July, Sista’s Comms & Advocacy Coordinator & Officer attended a one-day workshop held with selected artists under the Wota i Toktok Project to generate ideas and discussions around water and the potential art pieces to create for the official exhibition on September 27. This event is supported by UTS and Water for Women.

Young Women’s Leadership Program Internship Application and Interview Selection

From the 7th to 21st of July, Sista’s Projects Officer and Projects Coordinator sent out applications forms to YWLP participants from Tanna and Port Vila with the support of CARE in Vanuatu.

Online Meeting Preparation towards the Tanna Internship Period & Other Priorities

On Monday, 7th July 2025, Sista and CARE teams held a zoom meeting to prepare for the upcoming Tanna Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) Internship. Facilitated by Project’s Coordinator and supported by the Projects Officer, the meeting focused on key planning areas including internship timelines, host organization coordination, and resource preparation.

The team reflected on lessons from the 2024 internship highlighting challenges such as delays in materials, financial coordination, and communication gaps. To address these, strategies such as early preparation, weekly check-ins, and improved communication flows were agreed upon.

The meeting reinforced the importance of structured processes and collaboration to ensure a successful and empowering experience for the Tanna interns.

Partnership Reflection Preparatory Meetings

On the 9th of July, the Sista ED was excited to meet with CARE’s partnership manager and team in Australia to prepare for our annual reflection meeting. As our partnership for this funding order comes to an end in September, we are excited to see what the future will hold.

WRC Communications Focal Point July Meeting

Also, on the 9th of July, the We Rise Comms & Advocacy Officer alongside Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Coordinator, attended their monthly online meeting to check in with her focal points from the different WRC partner organisations across the region. Additionally, the monthly meetings serve as an opportunity where new members of the team get to introduce themselves and meet the rest of the team. Key agendas are also brought up and discussed in these meetings.

CARE + Sista Monthly Catchup Meeting

On Tuesday 15th July, Sista and CARE team met for a monthly catchup meeting. This meeting provided a space to discuss joint projects and ongoing collaboration. The focus of this session was on planning the upcoming Intergenerational Dialogue and reviewing progress during the current internship period.

These monthly meetings are valuable opportunities for both teams to reflect on challenges, strengthen coordination, and continue working towards shared goals.

Catch up with Foto from Pacific Feminist Fund

On the 17th of July, the Sista ED finally managed to catch up with Foto Ledua, the Resource Mobilization Enabler at Pacific Feminist Fund (PFF). The PFF grant has provided Sista two opportunities this year – support to attend CSW 69 in New York and recovery funds after the Dec 17th earthquake. We are grateful for PFF’s support and the opportunity to share our work with Foto and look forward to finding ways to work together in the future.

Sista attends La Maison des Francophonies de Port-Vila (MdF)

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Sista was invited to attend an information and networking evening hosted by La Maison des Francophonies de Port-Vila (MdF), following its official launch on June 10. The event brought together associations, NGOs, and civil society actors to introduce MdF as a new platform for engagement, exchange, and cooperation in the Pacific region.

Held at the MdF premises in Dumbea, the evening aimed to showcase the venue’s three key areas of activity education, environment, and culture while promoting opportunities for collaboration in civic engagement and solidarity. Attendees had the chance to tour the space, learn about MdF’s mission, and explore synergies that align with their own work and values.

Sista’s presence at the event reflects its continued commitment to fostering partnerships that support local initiatives and empower communities, especially in areas aligned with gender equity, youth engagement, and cultural expression.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for Sista to connect with other organizations, build networks, and explore potential collaborative efforts within the broader Francophone and Pacific community.

WRC Narrative report submission

From the 1st to the 21st of July the Sista Leadership Team came together to reflect on the work delivered over the past six months, from January to June 2025. Despite the country’s ongoing recovery from the December 17th, 2024 earthquake, the Sista team has demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and determination in advancing various projects and activities. While challenges were present, they also led to important lessons, internal growth, and meaningful progress. The We Rise Narrative Report provided an opportunity for the leadership team to monitor, analyse, and reflect on Sista’s achievements and challenges in implementing the We Rise work during this reporting period. Notably, Sista successfully hosted the Accelerator Hub, with seven participating organizations completing the program. The Leadership Team worked collaboratively to compile these insights and share them with our regional partners.

Dinner and Roundtable Discussion on Accountability in Vanuatu hosted by UNDP Pacific Vaka Pasifika Project

On the 22nd of July, the Sista Program Manager attended the launch of the Accountability Ecosystems Political Economy Analysis: Vanuatu Country Study at the Warwick Lagoon Hotel. Hosted by UNDP in partnership with the Vanuatu Association of NGOs (VANGO), the event brought together key stakeholders, including research contributors, integrity actors, donors, and delegations from Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and Tonga.

The report, authored by Gregoire Nimbtick and Allan Mua Illingworth and funded by the European Union, explores the complexities of accountability in Vanuatu—highlighting the coexistence of traditional governance, religious institutions, and modern political systems. It offers recommendations for strengthening accountability by integrating existing systems into a more cohesive framework.

The Program Manager was pleased to attend the event and engage with partners across government, civil society, and the media—many of whom Sista continues to collaborate with in the areas of public finance management and accountability. The event provided a valuable platform for dialogue on the political economy of accountability in Vanuatu and the broader Pacific region.

YWLP Port Vila Induction

On Wednesday 23rd July, before the internship began, an induction session was held. This process is a crucial part of any internship program, as it ensures that interns are well-prepared and informed before officially starting their placements. During the induction, interns were given clear instructions on where to report for their assigned host workplaces. It was a positive start everyone arrived early, excited and grateful to be selected.

The induction plays a key role in setting the foundation for a successful internship. It serves as an official welcome and provides a brief introduction to the work environment, expectations, and responsibilities. Interns were also informed about important details, such as the schedule of their fortnightly payments, workplace conduct, and who to contact for support. By outlining what to expect and providing space to ask questions, the induction helps interns feel confident and supported as they begin their professional journey.

Tanna Intergenerational Dialogue Preparation Online Meeting

On Tuesday 29th July, 10am the Sista team had an online meeting with Linet from Tanna CARE. This is to confirm what Sista will expect for CARE to support with.

Content Creations for July

In July, Sista’s Comms & Advocacy Officer developed communication materials to commemorate Children’s Day on 24 July and Independence Day on 30 July, ensuring these important national events were reflected on our platforms. Following the Wota i Toktok (WIT) workshop, she also produced a reel and social media post the following week to showcase key moments and promote the outcomes of the event. These communications activities helped strengthen visibility, engage our audiences, and amplify community and women’s voices across our platforms.

Other News:

July Recap for Sista’s Finance & Administration Officer

In July, Sista’s Finance and Administrations Officer (FAO) worked alongside Sista’s Finance and Human Resource Manager (FHRM) to review the workplan and coordinate the arrival of a new Australian Volunteer, that will be here to support and strengthen Human Resources and Policies of Sista.

The team completed a review of the Capacity Building Plan with the Executive Director and HR team. This review helped ensure the plan remains aligned with our strategic direction and evolving organizational needs once that was finalized, planned to commence Capacity Building training in the second week of August.

The successful preparation of the We Rise finance reports for the first time marks an important step in enhancing our financial reporting systems and supporting accountability. In addition, Sista’s FAO assisted the FHRM in preparing the CARE finance report, helping to ensure accurate and timely submission.

July Recap for Sista’s Finance & HR Manager

July was a busy and important month for us at Sista. As the financial year closed with our partner We Rise, we worked hard to finalize and submit finance reports for both We Rise and CARE.

Thanks to the generous support of the Pacific Feminist Fund, we were able to purchase a Starlink kit to strengthen our communications as part of earthquake recovery efforts.

On 8th July, we connected with Neva, our Australian Volunteer, to review her workplan. She is now helping us by reviewing Sista’s policies to make sure they are clear, efficient, and compliant.

The Finance & HR Team have also begun preparing logistics for our project staff to travel to Tanna for the YWLP internship program, an exciting ongoing project in partnership with CARE International.

Logistics & Procurement Officer July Highlights

In July, Sista’s Logistics & Procurement Officer played a key role in ensuring smooth operations across multiple initiatives. Leading up to the one-day Wota i Toktok (WIT) workshop, she assisted the CAC in securing the venue and catering, and made sure all logistical arrangements were in place for a successful event.

She also coordinated travel for several team members, including our Comms & Advocacy Officer and the WRC Comms & Advocacy Officer for a one-week training in Brisbane, arranging flights and visas. Additionally, she organized travel for the Projects team to Tanna for the YWLP internship program, ensuring all logistical details were efficiently managed. These efforts ensured that Sista’s programs and team movements ran smoothly, supporting both project delivery and development opportunities.

Coming soon

The Roundtable 2.0

A new podcast will bring together Pacific think tanks and local experts to share insights, ideas, and perspectives on key regional issues. Stay tuned for the launch!

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NEWS

‘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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