May Newsletter 2025

Jun 30, 2025 | Newsletters | 0

May was our month of storytelling, strengthening leadership and learning.

From celebrating fierce single mamas to spotlighting menstrual health, from drafting project plans to amplifying feminist voices – this month reflected the heart of our mission: empowering women and communities through action, creativity, and care.

We held space for connection and growth through our Accelerator Hub workshops, supported the Port Vila YWLP cohort with critical trainings, and joined regional conversations aimed at shifting power and dismantling bias.

Our Accelerator Hub workshops continued, helping local organisations turn ideas into action with hands-on training in project planning and budgeting.

We also returned to our main office at Chuan Store, expanding our workspace with an additional room – the Astrid Room – making more space for our growing team and programs.

Behind the scenes, we joined important meetings with partners across the Pacific to share updates, build stronger networks, and push for change together.

We also took a moment to honour the life and legacy of Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, Vanuatu’s first female MP and Minister, who passed away on Sunday 25 May 2025.

Aunty Hilda was a joy to work with and a strong supporter of Sista’s mission over the years. She held many meaningful conversations with the Sista team, especially with our Executive Director, about the importance of women’s leadership, the need to document our history so future generations understand how we got here, and the power of uplifting all citizens to build a nation that belongs to everyone.

In an interview she did with Sista in 2016, Aunty Hilda shared a powerful reminder about unity and respect: “I believe that Vanuatu belongs to all of us. We’ve all built it up – not just indigenous Ni-Vanuatu but also investors and expat families who’ve lived here for generations – but it’s about respecting each other.” We remember her with gratitude and honour the pivotal role she played in shaping our country’s journey towards development and progress.

Keep reading to find out what else we got up to in May!

Projects

Winona Kalpukai – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

In light of National Women’s Day this month, we’re shining a light on the sporty and soulful Winona Kalpukai!

With roots in Efate, Ifira, Tongoa, Erromango, Emae, and Santo, Winona proudly represents her diverse heritage and wears her identity with pride. A loving mum, passionate rugby player, and National Administration and Finance Officer at FAO Vanuatu, she’s all about showing up with purpose whether it’s on the field, at work, or at home.

She describes her style as comfort-first and mood-driven, always staying true to herself over trends.

Her confidence shines through in everything she does, and her favorite verse keeps her grounded: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Winona reminds us of what it means to be bold and kind, all while staying true to yourself.

#SistaGatStyle #Mother #RugbyPlayer #YoungWoman #BeautifulSoul #Inspiring #Strong #Kind

Pacific Menstrual Health Networking

On May 28, Sista joined the Pacific Menstrual Health Network’s Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration at the Melanesian Hotel in Port Vila. This year’s theme, “Exploring the Links Between Climate Change and Menstrual Health,” brought together partners and advocates from across the region.

A key highlight was the launch of a desk review report and short film that explored the impact of climate change on menstrual health. Sista’s team took part in a World Café session, where participants shared challenges, local innovations, and proposed solutions.

The event emphasized the need for stronger coordination and action to ensure resilient and inclusive menstrual health responses in the Pacific.

Accelerator Hub Workshops – We Rise Coalition

Workshop 2: Continue with Building the Foundations of Strong Organizations

On 12th of May 2025, we held our second Accelerator Hub Workshop which focused on deepening participants’ understanding of the core component of establishing and running an organization. Topics explored included:

Organizational constitutions

Board structures and governance

Identifying key stakeholders

Communication and networking strategies

Participants engaged in rich and insightful discussions, sharing personal experiences and reflections grounded in their local contexts. The session wrapped up with a brief introduction to the next topic—Project Management—which will be covered in the following sessions.

Workshop 3: Laying the foundation of Project Management

In the third Accelerator Hub workshop held on 20th May 2025, participants explored the core elements of effective Project Management. This session focused on building the knowledge and skills needed to design and manage community projects. Topics covered included:

Designing Projects

Identifying Your Team

Writing Concept Notes

Developing Costed Workplans

Managing Implementation

A brief introduction to Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER)

The session helped participants structure their ideas into clear project frameworks, ready for further development.

Workshop 4: From Ideas of Project Management to Action

On Friday 30th of May, we held the fourth Accelerator Hub workshop which was built on previous learning through a hands-on, practical approach. The focus was on supporting participants to draft their concept notes and begin developing budgeted workplans.

Five organizations were represented during this session:

Samson Maki – South East Ambrym Association

Christina Thyna & Joana Malau – Nambawan Family Association

Pros Lay – Food, Health and Rights

Jeanette Wallace & Maddlyn Taripoa – Silae Vanua

Participants engaged in individual and group exercises, receiving feedback on their draft concept notes. By the end of the session, most had completed solid drafts and are now in the process of finalizing their costed workplans and budgets in preparation for the next session.

The upcoming workshop will focus on finalizing proposals and ensuring participants are equipped with complete and fundable project plans. These projects will be ready to move from the planning phase to real-world implementation.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey of capacity strengthening and community-driven action.

Feminist & Social Media Workshop with Young Womens Leadership Program – CARE

On Thursday, 22nd and Friday, 23rd May 2025, the Sista team launched the first two workshops for the 2025 Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) cohort in Port Vila. Facilitated by our Projects Office and Logistics & Procurement Officer who are also proud YWLP Aluminis, with support from our Project Coordinator and CARE’s GET Team Observer, the sessions brought together nineteen young women aged 16 to 30 from various islands residing in Port Vila. These workshops aimed to strengthen their understanding of feminism and enhance their digital safety skills in an engaging, supportive environment.

Day 1 explored feminism in Vanuatu and the Pacific, while Day 2 focused on social media and online safety using the GoCyber booklet. Participants shared experiences, discussed ideas, and walked away with new tools to advocate for themselves and others.

The two days were filled with learning, enthusiasm, and sisterhood, as participants built new knowledge and strengthened their voices.

Special thanks to CARE in Vanuatu for their continued partnership and to the amazing young women who brought the space to life! We look forward to continuing this journey with you at the upcoming #IntergenerationalDialogue!

Stakeholder Meetings

On the 9th of May, Sista’s Executive Director attended the Voter Awareness Committee Meeting as a representative of the VANGO Board to support the dissemination of key messages in the lead up to the provincial and by-elections. The meeting was held at Ramada Resort and included information about key messages, the inspection period, and to provide feedback on strategies. The main goal of the Voter Awareness Committee is to set up mutual cooperation between Electoral Office and electoral stakeholders by working together to plan, coordinate, information and implement electoral awareness activities across Vanuatu.

Sista’s Executive Director is also a board member of HCDI, VANGO and part of the NGEP Women in Leadership working group where communications were happening to prepare for activities throughout the year

We Rise 3 Quarterly Partner Leadership Meeting

On May 8th, Sista joined Brown Girl Woke, Voice for Change, femLINK Pacific, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) and International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)over zoom for the quarterly check ins with partners and were glad to be joined by DFAT representatives from across the Pacific Island Countries where WRC partners are based. The Sista Executive Director, Sista Program Manager and the We Rise Coalition Communications and Advocacy officer attended this meeting from the Sista team.

The We Rise Coalition partners provided progress updates on current program, forward workplans, offered an opportunity for the Coalition to get an update on the progress of several key documents in the finalizing stages and gave platform for the We Rise Coalitions Communication and Advocacy Officer, who is based at Sista, an opportunity to update the Coalition on the Achievements of her work so far as well.

The meeting ended with updates from DFAT and a forward work plan for the Coalition.

We are proud to be a part of the We Rise Coalition, and we are grateful for the learning and growing together with our SiSTARS in the Coalition throughout the Pacific.

TrackGBV Advocacy Workshop: Exposing Gender Bias in GBV Sentencing Across the Pacific
On May 27th, our Program Manager and Project Officer participated in the TrackGBV Advocacy Workshop: Exposing Gender Bias in GBV Sentencing Across the Pacific, hosted online by the human rights organization ICAAD.

This workshop explored how gender bias, cultural norms, and other inappropriate mitigating factors influence judicial sentencing in cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the Pacific. Participants examined real court cases to identify “contentious factors” such as gender stereotypes, customary practices (e.g., reconciliation), and other unjust considerations (e.g., church attendance or career prospects of the perpetrator) that undermine justice for survivors.

The training introduced the TrackGBV Dashboard which is a powerful online tool that collects, analyses, and visualizes data from GBV sentencing decisions across Pacific Island countries. This dashboard supports evidence-based advocacy and judicial reform by tracking the presence of gender bias and inconsistencies in sentencing.

The session concluded with discussions on judicial policy reform strategies and how to push for systemic change in courtroom practices, informed by data and survivor-centered approaches.

Our two participants received certificates of participation, marking their completion of this important training.

Celebrating Resilience at the Single Mama’s Brunch – FRIDA Fund

On May 14th, we hosted the Single Mama’s Brunch at Jill’s Café to mark the proposed International Single Mothers’ Day. Themed “Yu wan strong mama. Yu save mekem.”, the event honoured the strength and resilience of single mothers in Vanuatu, while creating space to address the systemic challenges they face.

The brunch brought together 30 single mothers for a morning of connection, empowerment, and solidarity. A powerful highlight of the event was the intergenerational panel discussion, where speakers such as Guilaine Nauni, Kylie Tama, and Serah Linore Tari courageously shared their personal journeys. Their stories touched on overcoming stigma, the importance of self-care, finding strength in community, and reclaiming narratives often shaped by judgment.

The atmosphere throughout the morning was warm, vibrant, and full of sisterhood. From shared meals to storytelling and performances, the event was a beautiful celebration of motherhood in all its complexity and power. Many attendees expressed how deeply meaningful it was to be seen, heard, and uplifted.

To all the mamas who came,thank you. Thank you for your strength, your presence, and for allowing us to celebrate with you. We are honored to walk alongside you and will continue to build spaces where women are valued, recognized, and empowered.

We Rise Coalition Support with Single Mama’s brunch
On the 14th of May 2025, our We Rise Coalition’s Communications and Advocacy Officer attended the Strong Mama Workshop hosted by the Sista team, to provide assistance and support in getting content for our communications team.

The contents included pictures, short behind the scenes videos, and interviews that will go on Sista’s social media pages.

Keep your eye out on Sista’s social media platforms for these empowering videos!

Communications Team Upgrade
At the beginning of this month Sista’s Comms & Advocacy Coordinator was busy preparing for upcoming interviews to upgrade and strengthen the Comms team!

After meeting several amazing young women for this role, we’re excited to welcome TWO new officers to Sista’s Communications team – Lorine Russel and Umi Novampos!

Lorine has joined the team as Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Officer, and Umi has joined as Sista’s Creative and Technical Support Officer.

We’re super excited to have these two young women join the team and look forward to learning and growing with them.

Wota i Toktok: Planning for Upcoming Workshop – Water for Women Fund and University of Technology, Sydney   

This month, for the Wota i Toktok project, Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Coordinator congratulated the selected artists and began preparing for the upcoming workshop in June.

The workshop will be supported by a local artist from the Vanuatu art scene, who will help guide participants through the creative process.

We’re looking forward to seeing how this project unfolds and encourage everyone to stay tuned via our social media for updates on what’s next!

HERStory and Sista biography Interview – We Rise Coalition

On the 21st of May 2025, the WRC Communication’s Officer interviewed oru Executive Director for two of WRC’S Communications Projects.

These projects are Herstories and Biographies for the ED and the Sista organization, which will be used as content to strengthen internal communications within the coalition.

Election of New Board for the Media Association of Vanuatu

In May, the Media Assocation of Vanuatu (MAV) officially farewelled its previous board and welcomed a new Executive Board, now led by President Sale Sumbe and Vice President Kizzy Kalsakau.

We are proud to have both our Communications and Advocacy Coordinator and the We Rise Coalition’s Communications and Advocacy Coordinator as part of MAV’s new leadership.

We honour the achievements of outgoing President Lilly Rose Welwel, whose leadership saw the launch of key initiatives like the Social Media Association, Women in Media, and the Northern Islands Media Association. We thank the former board for their dedication and look forward to seeing MAV continue to protect and promote media freedom in Vanuatu.

Other News:

Sista’s Project Coordinator graduates with Professional Mico Credential in Program and Project Management – HCDI

In May, we proudly celebrated our brilliant and bright Project Coordinator, Rosina Lore, who graduated with a Professional Mico Credential in Program and Project Management. This incredible milestone is a testament to her hard work, commitment, and passion for creating positive change. We are so proud of her!

This achievement was made possible through the invaluable support of late Dr. Astrid Kersten, the founder and Director of Human Capacity Development International (HCDI), a true friend of ours, who believed in Rosina’s potential and in the mission we carry.

Though Dr. Astrid is no longer with us, her legacy lives on in the opportunities she created and the lives she touched. Today, we honour her generous spirit and unwavering believe in women’s empowerment. Her impact continues to shine through the success of women like Rosina.

Thank you, Dr. Astrid and Congratulations, Rosina, your journey is just beginning and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Office Relocation, Expansion & Preparedness

The month of May began with a significant logistical milestone as Sista successfully relocated its main office back to Chuan Store. The transition was well-coordinated to ensure minimal disruption, with support from the Executive Director, Logistics & Procurement Officer, and key staff. As part of the move, new office furniture was procured to enhance the working environment, and additional storage cabinets – funded through the PFF grant – were installed.

In line with this relocation, Sista also acquired a new office space now known as the Astrid Room, bringing the total number of operational offices to three. This expansion creates greater capacity for staff and program activities, and the space was officially put to use by hosting the Accelerator Hub Workshops during May.

Additionally, Sista staff participated in an earthquake drill mid-month to strengthen organisational emergency preparedness. This exercise was an important step in ensuring all team members are well-equipped to respond effectively in the event of a real emergency.

Behind the Scenes Support – Accelerator Hub

Sista’s Finance Team, with support from the Logistics & Procurement Officer, played a key role in ensuring the smooth delivery of the Accelerator Hub Workshops. The team managed all logistical and procurement needs, including organising catering services and providing meals, refreshments, and bus fares to support participant travel.

While the Project Team facilitated the sessions on-site, the Finance Team worked behind the scenes to ensure all logistics were delivered efficiently and on time. Their contribution was instrumental in the overall success of the workshops, and the team remains committed to supporting future program activities.

As we wrap up an impactful month, we remain energised by the progress made in May and look forward to continuing this momentum in the months ahead.

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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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