The Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project (TSRSP), worth around US$28.2 million, was launched on Friday by Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku in Nuku’alofa.

The TSRSP is jointly funded by the Australian government and World Bank.

Hon. Hu'akavameiliku said the new project will be transformational for both the physical environment in which children learn and grow and for a better quality of education. 

"We are all aware there is a long road ahead of us, with more work in the pipeline, including the priority given to the schools affected by the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai tsunami,” he said.

"This requires leadership, intentional decision making, and action to ensure we are moving forward and delivering for a safe and resilient Tonga. I therefore seek your help and support to ensure we are all part of this success story." 

The launching held at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga Conference room was attended by Mr Donald Mortimore, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga and Ms Simone Esler, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist from the World Bank.

The Prime Minister has served as the Minister for Education and Training since 2019.

“In October of this year, I attended the World Bank and IFC Annual Meetings in my capacity as Acting Minster of Finance, and I was encouraged by the World Bank Group to work towards achieving the twin goals of reducing extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity in Tonga…, as stipulated in our Tonga Strategic Development Framework. 

He said that in early 2020, following the release of the national examinations results of 2019, the curriculum was reviewed to produce a clear set of recommendations. This required the redevelopment of an outcome-based curricula and assessment system for the core subjects of Mathematics, Science, English and the Tongan Language.

"However, at the time, we were unsure how we would fund the implementation of these reforms," he said.

Cyclone Gita in 2018

"Fortunately, following the Tropical Cyclone Gita in 2018, we were grateful to receive additional financing, also from the World Bank and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the PREP project that enabled the completion of 88 new classrooms, 33 retrofitted classrooms at 25 schools, across 3 different islands."

"We are all aware there is a long road ahead of us with more work in the pipeline, including the priority given to the schools affected by the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai tsunami. Nevertheless, I believe this is a great opportunity for us to work together for the betterment of our children," the Hon Hu'akavameiliku added. 

"This requires leadership, intentional decision making, and action to ensure we are moving forward and delivering for a safe and resilient Tonga. I therefore seek your help and support to ensure we are all part of this success story.