Ministry of Education & Training
Request for Expressions of Interest
Call for Writers and Pacific Reading Specialist for Tongan in Tonga
The Ministry of Education & Training (MET) invites Expressions of Interest from qualified and passionate individuals to support the development of classroom libraries and reading program under the System Transformation Grant (STG) in partnership with Save the Children Australia (SCA).
1. Call for Writers – Y5 &Y6 Classroom Library Books (Tongan & English)
Background: As part of an initiative to enhance literacy and promote culturally relevant learning materials in Tonga, we are developing a collection of books for Year 5-6 classroom libraries in both Tongan and English. These books will include original stories, adapted works from the Pacific and globally, and non-fiction texts aligned with the national curriculum. We invite talented and passionate individuals to contribute to this project by writing or illustrating books that inspire and educate young learners. The 110 new titles will be copyrighted to the Ministry of Education and Training and distributed as classroom libraries to every primary school in Tonga.
Scope of Work: We are seeking writers who can:
- Write engaging, age-appropriate stories or non-fiction texts in either Tongan or English (or both).
- Adapt existing stories to be culturally relevant and suitable for Year 5-6 students.
- Follow themes that align with the Tonga national curriculum, including literacy, numeracy, science, environment, technology, history, culture, STEM, emergency preparedness, socio-emotional learning, and Tongan history, culture, and values.
- Ensure inclusive storytelling that represents the diverse experiences of Tongan children, including male and female role models, people with disabilities, and complex characters
- Work collaboratively with illustrators to bring stories to life with engaging visuals.
- Work with curriculum experts to review and improve draft texts and adding comprehension and writing tasks.
Who Can Apply:
- Tongan writers who have a passion for storytelling, education, and cultural preservation.
- Writers with experience in children's literature or education (preferred but not required).
You will be compensated for this work depending on the number of stories you supply and are approved.
2. Pacific Reading Specialist Terms of Reference
Introduction
The Pacific Reading Specialist role, within the GPE System Transformation Grant (STG) framework, supports the Tongan Ministry of Education and Training (MET) in enhancing literacy for primary students through culturally relevant and effective reading interventions. This project aims to deliver reading modules and training aligned with the Tongan curriculum, targeting both students and educators in primary education.
2. Objective
The primary objective of the Pacific Reading Specialist is to develop, adapt, and oversee the implementation of primary reading materials and in-service training modules. This support is aimed at improving literacy outcomes across all primary schools in Tonga, with a focus on inclusivity, gender balance, and cultural relevance.
3. Scope of work
- Module development: Lead the design and development of school-based in-service reading modules, with input from MET’s Curriculum and Assessment Division (CAD) and the Primary Division. Modules should incorporate effective reading instruction strategies using classroom libraries (including decodable texts), comprehension strategies, and themes related to gender equity, disability, and climate awareness.
- Teacher training support: Prepare MET officers to conduct school-based in-service training sessions to equip primary school teachers with strategies for effective literacy instruction, including the use of newly developed reading materials.
- Develop a reading booster program for remedial reading education.
- Design the home reading flipbook.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Participate in ongoing assessments of the reading program's effectiveness, providing feedback to MET on progress and areas for improvement.
- Liaise with CAD, Primary Division, World Bank, and Save the Children specialists.
- Oversee the production of accessible materials, ensuring quality and accuracy across formats.
Salary Rate: Please contact email for more information on the salary rate.
How to Apply
Please submit your Expressions of Interest with detailed Curriculum Vitae either by delivery or email to address below no later than 28th April at 4:30pm. Your submission should be clearly marked “Expression of Interest for Writer – Y5 & Y6 Classroom Library Books (Tongan & English)” or “Expression of Interest for Pacific Reading Specialist: and send via:
E-mail : selubimi [at] gmail [dot] com
For further enquiries please contact Ms. Seluvaia Kauvaka at 8839997 or 7758011 or email address: selubimi [at] gmail [dot] com.
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