High Tech Youth studio in Samoa has a new unique Samoan name: Le Tuiga Samoa. The name was chosen by a representative workshop group of the many young people who go there. The process used to choose the name is in keeping with the studio’s philosophy. The studio is designed for youth to create their own Read more
Twenty-seven million child refugees have left school early in 24 countries involved in conflicts. A UNICEF report says migrant children and young people, with low levels of education, “run an ever greater risk of exploitation.” Of the minors who move on the route that connects the Mediterranean with Central Europe, the report found 90% of Read more
The Catholic church has a big role in developing education in Papua New Guinea and it plans to provide more and better education services. The National Catholic Education Commission has launched its five-year strategic plan, covering the period from 2017 to 2021. Representatives from the Education Department and development partners joined the Church for the Read more
Same-sex marriage is alright. That’s the message put out by two of Australia’s elite Jesuit schools, St Ignatius’ College, Riverview and Xavier College. Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart is declining to comment on remarks made by the schools last week that seemed to support gay marriage. The Australian Bishops Commission for Catholic Education is also Read more
Leaked education funding modelling shows the way Australia’s public, Catholic and private schools may be affected by the Senate’s decision to block or support Gonski 2.0: the Turnbull government’s school funding model. The model would see a money-go-round in Australia’s education budget, with the country’s public schools getting an extra $4 billion over the next Read more
Tonga’s Women and Children Crisis Centre says it is working with the police to end corporal punishment in Tonga. Last week, a middle school teacher was charged with assault over the beating of a student who was later hospitalised for his injuries. The teacher also reportedly threatened to beat the 11-year-old’s parents if they reported Read more
A Catholic student meeting all the special character requirements is on the wait list for John Paul College, Rotorua. Maringi James, 13 is due to start her secondary education in 2017 but the school roll is at capacity. Maringi’s mother, Lauren James is calling on the Ministry of Education to exercise some discretion about the Read more
A few months ago, I presented the following scenario to my junior English students: Your boyfriend or girlfriend has committed a felony, during which other people were badly harmed. Should you or should you not turn him or her into the police? The class immediately erupted with commentary. It was obvious, they said, that loyalty Read more
The validity of the of last years’ Tonga National Form Seven Certificate (TNFSC) examination results is being widely challenged. A leaked government report on a rushed reform of Tonga’s education system in 2015 reveals confusion and concern within the Ministry and raises questions about the validity of the examination results. It says because of the Read more
Politicians, cardinals, bishops and educationalists gathered in Wellington on April 3 to farewell Br Sir Patrick Lynch. Br Sir Patrick is leaving the New Zealand Catholic Education Office after 22 years at the helm. Speakers at the function included Education Minister Hekia Parata and Cardinal John Dew. Ms Parata praised Br Sir Patrick’s “immense contribution Read more