Tonga has so much to be proud of in its education system, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia HE Ms Quentin Bryce said in visiting the Nuku'alofa Government Primary School on August 2.

HM King George Tupou V and HRH Princess Pilolevu accompanied the Governor General on the visit.

They looked at how and what pupils learn under a new curriculum that has been implemented in all primary schools throughout Tonga under a programme which is funded jointly by Australia and New Zealand. Under the primary schools curriculum project new workbooks and reading materials were produced and printed with assistance from Australia and New Zealand.

In February, the New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Jonathan Austin, handed over 110,000 workbooks to the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki. These books included 21 different types of pupil books for Class 1-6 Primary School students in four key learning areas, Science, Mathematics, English and the Tongan language. In addition are Teachers' Guides, resource and reading materials.

The visitors observed Class 4 students learning English taught by their teacher Lavinia Fakateli. Class 4 mathematics students also demonstrated their learning led by teacher Timote Holani.

Children

The Governor General said in her role as Governor General she travels a lot and one thing she loves and enjoys is visiting and spending time at schools and meeting children. "Children are the heart of my life as a woman, mother and grandmother and I am very happy to be visiting a school in Tonga.

"Tonga has so much to be proud of in its education system. You have a record of very high achievements in education, literacy and numeracy."

She also expressed her delight that Australia had made a contribution to the schoolbooks and education in Tonga. "Education opens up choices to our future and what we can contribute to our life, families, communities and to the world but most importantly education allows us to have enriching and rewarding lives.

"Thank you for sharing your learning this morning and I congratulate the wonderful teachers and to the community that supports this school. A school is the heart of a community as it brings families together for the future and I am so grateful that I am given this experience in which I would return and share with my fellow Australians. Thank you Your Majesty for giving me the honour of today's visit," she said.

The Governor General had earlier in the morning, opened a Health Clinic at the village of Nukunuku.

HE Ms Quentin Bryce and party left Tonga in the afternoon, August 2.