Tongan educators in print [1]
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 17:22. Updated on Monday, October 6, 2014 - 09:56.
Ta Kupesi, is the poetic title for a new book of research undertaken by 12 Tongan educators into various aspects of education in Tonga.
The 117 pages book of their findings was launched by the Minister of Education Dr Tevita Palefau, on August 18 at the University of the South Pacific, Tonga Campus, 'Atele. It is the first publication of a newly formed Tonga Research Skills Development Group, whose members include Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki, Dr Lia Maka, Dr Seu'ula J. Fua, and others who are interested in the field of re-education in Tonga.
Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki, a USP Pro Vice Chancellor, and the Dean of the USP Research Division, said that the work of the Tonga Research Skills Development Group is an integral part of the 'Re-thinking Pacific Initiative" or RPEI, which came into being after a group of Pacific educators met in Suva in April 2001.
"They came together to share, debate and reflect on what they believe to be the main issues and challenges in Pacific education today and to begin exploring new directions and alternatives in education and development, which might prove more meaningful to Pacific People," she said.
The book "Ta Kupesi - Emerging Themes and Methodologies from Educational Research in Tonga", edited by Lia Maka, Seu'ula Johansson Fua, and Frances Pene, features ten research projects by Tongan educators.
An investigation into the use of Tongan by teachers of English in their classes, was carried out by 'Ungatea Fonua Kata.
Learning style Preferences of Tongan students in tertiary education in Tonga, was investigated by Vika Lutui and Lata Langi
'Ana Heti Veikune, wrote about Tonga High School National Form students and the factors they perceive as influencing academic self-concept, while Peaua Tu'ipulotu Heimuli made a Formative and summative assessment for learning at Tonga High School. Chinese students' views about learning English at Tonga High School, was researched by 'Alisi Katoanga.
The impact of a school board of governors on teacher confidence: A Tongan case study, was researched by Makalita Falasima Kautoke, Fololeni Fatai and Margaret Vaka Vivilil.
Police trainers for the future: How police trainers are trained in the Tonga Police Force, was looked at by Lautoa Faletau.
An analysis of the pass rate in the TSC English examination of St Andrew's School was made by Kasa Kilioni and Sione Kupu;
Teaching Form 5 Geography mapping skills at Tonga College was researched by Momea Tu'ifua Tolu and Sinama Tupou Fa'anunu; and National assessment and the Ministry of Education Assessment Unit was looked at by Tu'ifua Petelo Takapautolo.
The foreword was written by Konai Helu Thaman.