Education in Tonga has received a boost in funds from donors, Save the Children Australia (SCA) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) on March 28, to ensure children affected by the volcanic eruption and COVID-19 restrictions are still able to continue learning.

Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Hon Hu’akavameiliku signed a financing agreement with SCA Regional Operation Director to the Pacific, Malmee Weerasiri as well as Minister for Finance Hon Tatafu Moeaki.

The unspecified amount of funds will be used to support the Ministry of Education through the SCA-MET Volcanic Eruption and COVID-19 Response Plan and the System Capacity Grant.

This includes purchasing stationery for affected children, personal protective equipment such as face masks, eye-protective goggles, and hand sanitizers for teachers and students, and to support remote learning during the lockdowns.

In addition, the Ministry will receive assistance for their sector analysis, development plan and sector review.

The Prime Minister thanked the SCA for the funding and said it had come at a critical time as Tonga continues to recover from the January 15 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami and the ongoing challenge of COVID-19. 

“This assistance is critical for Government and the people of Tonga, especially as it will assist us in the ongoing education of our children during the COVID-19 restrictions.”

“Our children are our future and the challenge they faced in the last three months meant that they would have missed out on normal education,” he said.

“The funds allocated will definitely go a long way in ensuring that education can still be provided to the best that we can at this challenging time.”

In Tonga, Save the Children also supports the Ministry of Education to deliver a $1 million (AUD) distance learning program utilising technology to reach outlying islands and remote populations.