Addressing a way forward for early childhood education was the focus of the first Pacific Early Childhood Development Conference held on September 19-21 on Denarau Island, Nadi.

The high level conference whose theme was 'Moving Forward with Sustainable Development Goals for Early Childhood', was attended by CEOs in Health, Finance and Education Ministries from 15 Pacific Islands. 

Tonga was represented by the CEO for the Ministry of Education Claude Tupou, Heath Director Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, Balwyn Fa’otusia from the Ministry of Finance, and Early Childhood Education coordinator Soana Kaitapu, an Executive Board Member.

The theme is in relation to efforts to address Sustainable Development Goal 4.2 by 2030, in that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. 

This is also the first time for early childhood education to be included on any global goals. Tonga with other United Nation members are therefore obligated to achieve the action points of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, stated the Ministry of Education in Nuku’alofa.

"Given that young children’s care, development and learning are intertwined, it is essential to coordinate initiatives among various sectors. Interventions ought to start early as research shows not only that significant development gaps already exist by the time children enter primary school, but that also, left unaddressed these gaps continue to widen with time. This is a promising start for Ministries to come together to work collaboratively for a better future for our children."

The conference was expected to conclude with an adoption of a Declaration - Pacific Call to Action on Early Childhood Development, outlining action agenda for Pacific Island governments to achieve for early childhood education and development by 2030.

Prominent figures in early childhood education and development from around the world, also attended the conference organized by UNICEF, World Bank and the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Care and Education.

Meanwhile, Tonga’s Ministry of Education has in place a policy and curriculum for early childhood education, in which the 74 pre-schools in the country must follow. The pre-schools are mostly operated by church education systems.