Education policy and planning is absolutely necessary as regional educational system continues to be reformed, and consequently become more complex.
This was highlighted by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) of the Solomon Islands, Dr Franco Rodie.
Opening the first Sub Regional Education Policy and Planners Fono Gathering in Honiara, Solomon Islands yesterday, he said: “One of the obvious things about us in the Pacific Island countries is that we are developing at different rates but what seems to be common in my perspective is that development is everywhere, and there is more aspiration for development and the challenges associated”.
“Because of the need for social and economic development in each country, there is a high demand for educated citizens to participate in the development of their respective countries.”
A key theme that emerged from Dr Rodie’s address was the importance to equip educational leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of modern education systems.
This included fostering a new generation of leaders who were not only proficient in policy formulation but also adept at leveraging evidence-based practices to drive meaningful change.
The importance of professional development programs, such as the Professional Certificate in Education Policy and Planning (PCEPP), delivered by the Institute of Education, was highlighted as a means to enhance the capacity of senior education officers in the region.
“There is also renewed efforts amongst Ministries of Education in the region, to collectively implement the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), to improve the ‘quality and relevance’ of education, create ‘pathways for students, student outcomes and well-being,’ and to support the professional growth of teachers and leaders,” he added.
“Therefore, the reconvening of the Professional Certificate in Education Policy and Planning in early 2024 by the IoE/USP, which targets the professional development for educational authorities or simply – senior education officers in my Ministry, to retrain, upgrade or upskill them – will add value to the business they conduct at their workplace, and to enhance improved community connectedness and learning outcomes for students.”
Dr Rodie said the Fono provided a platform for professional conversation regarding educational policy and planning (EdPP)
Supported under the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) and convened by the USP Institute of Education, the Fono aims to build the capacity of education policy managers and planners, through:
The three-day Fono, which ends on April 10, is facilitated collaboratively by IoE, PacREF Facilitating Unit, UNICEF Pacific and UNESCO Pacific.
