Photos by Linny Folau

Another one-day meeting called by the Prime Minister this time to explain to parliamentarians and others the major changes in Tonga's education system and in particular the reasons why Standardization Marks will be replaced by Raw Marks in Tongan schools was held this afternoon, Thursday 25 August at Kalofiama ‘o Epworth Hall.

Hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva in his opening remarks said this was not the first time and similar meetings had been held on this issue previously.

He said there have been meetings with the High Commissioners of New Zealand, Australia, then with the media and with former Education CEOs as well as teachers, principals, district and town officers.

"We feel there are still doubts and concerns, and that is why this meeting was called," the PM said.

The afternoon session of the Tongan parliament was deferred so members could attend the presentation by the Ministry of Education on its decision to replace Standardized Marks with Raw Marks.

The Prime Minister told the gathering that when he started as Minister of Education it was evident that people, including teachers and students, were concerned with examination results, especially for Form 6-7.

The PM said he queried why there were discrepancies and researched the state of education in Tonga.

"I asked for Piveni Piukala’s help to ananlyse the data converting raw marks to standardization and saw the difference. I confirmed without a doubt that it was bad," he said.

The meeting continued to a presentation by Piveni, followed by questions.

Present was the Speaker of the House Lord Tu’ivakano and some parliamentarians, including the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries, Hon Semisi Fakahau, Noble’s Representatives Lord Nuku, Lord Tu’iha’angana and People’s Representatives ‘Akosita Lavulavu, Samiu Vaipulu and Veivosa Taka.

Also present were former Education CEOs ‘Emeli Pouvalu, Viliami Fukofuka, and former staff of the Ministry of Education. There were also media and other representatives from various organisations.

The tension was palpable and it seemed there were no happy faces - except for Piveni Piukula.

There were strong views expressed by educators against the sudden change over initiated by the Minister and the Ministry to replace Standardized Marks with Raw Marks. There was a conviction by some of the speakers that the Minister and his ministry have destroyed Tonga's education system. There were many disappointed faces, and some of Tonga's most experienced professional educators eased their extreme anxiety by closing their eyes.

At the end the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva reminded the gathering that he is the man in charge and that he has made the decision to replace Standardized Mars with Raw Marks.

Lord Nuku, in desperation, pleaded with 'Akilisi for one more meeting to bring the community together to agree on the best way forward for education in Tonga. There was no direct response from the Minister of Education but the final speaker at the gathering, a director of the Ministry of Education, alluded to a possibility that there will be another meeting.