Elder Kim B. Clark, LDS Church Commissioner of Education, visiting Tonga from March 17-19, said the number of LDS students in the Pacific is growing and they are going to invest more in their schools in Tonga  - to get better at teaching and learning.

As part of a Pacific trip to visit church schools, Elder Clark said the church had in the last five-years put in more resources to their schools to strengthen and improve education standards.

In 2015, their church education system taught more than 1 million students worldwide and is growing.

"Schools need to be an engine of development and growth for the church and countries," he said.

"What needs to be improved, the primary thing is to get better at teaching and learning with more training, more development, more ideas, and better teachers."

Elder Clark stressed the importance of education after high school and having opportunities available, like online studies to Brigham Young University Idaho currently being offered at Liahona High School.

He condemned school fighting and said if it was to get out of control it will not be tolerated by the church.

“How do we need schools that seek violence and fighting. If that becomes the nature of these schools, then yes, the church will shut it down. Our intent is to become the opposite to become great sources of strength to the country."

Accompanied by his wife, Sister Sue, he met local principals, teachers and students at Liahona High School, LDS middle school and Havelu Middle School.

He had also met with LDS principals in Auckland, prior to Tonga.

A Dean of Harvard Business School from 1995-2005 where he was a graduate, Elder Clark was also President of Brigham Young University-Idaho.