By Pesi Fonua

A recent decision by the Ministry of Education to amend its Tongan language policy for Classes 1 to 3, and to introduce English as a second language at that young level will have a negative impact on the speaking of Tongan language, believes a former Minister of Education, Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki.

As one of Tonga's foremost educators, Dr Taufe'ulungaki was a designer of Tonga’s Education Policy Framework 2004-2019, which required that “Basic literacy will be established in Tongan before the introduction of English”.

She strongly believes that introducing English too early is a recipe for a cultural "blackout", in other words a disastrous decision that will have a negative impact on Tongan children being able to speak Tongan, and knowing their traditions and culture.

Under Tonga’s Education Policy Framework 2004-2019, developed to guide Tonga’s education system for 15 years, the vision was clearly stated, she said. With education “the people of Tonga will achieve an excellence in education that is unique to this country, and that Tonga will become a learning society.”

The framework’s Language Policy spelled out “that all Government primary schools will follow bilingual teaching methodologies that recognize Tongan as the first language of the majority of students. Basic literacy will be established in Tongan before the introduction of English.”

“The main language of instruction in Government primary schools will be Tongan language up to  the end of Year 3 (Class 3), while a bilingual approach (both Tongan and English) will be used to support instruction in Years 4 to 6 (Classes 4 to 6).

“English will be the main language of instruction from Year 7 (Form 1) onwards. The Tongan Language and culture will be taught throughout all schools from Years 1 to 13 (Class 1 to Form 7),” she explained.

While the policy framework is still in place, Dr Taufe’ulungaki pointed out that there had been some major changes under the late Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva after 2014, when she lost her seat as the Minister of Education under the government of Lord Tu’ivakano (2010-14).

Pohiva introduced what became known as the “Raw Marks System”. There were changes in the system from Class 1 up to Form 4, “not to the standard of the system that the Prime Minister was suppose to have introduced; but Form 5 to 7 remain untouched, and students at this level are having problems, passing examinations.”

Dr Taufe’ulungaki is also very critical of the raw marks system that was introduced, “because though the system is fine, but it was not implemented properly, and there is a lack of supporting materials for teachers and students to work with.”