'Emeli Moala Pouvalu (57) who became the new Director of the Ministry of Education, Women's Affairs and Culture on May 2 has returned to Tonga after 12 years in Fiji education.

She was previously the Director of the College for Foundation Studies at the University of the South Pacific in Suva.

While at USP, Emeli also served on the University’s highest decision-making body, the University Council.

"I have always wanted to come back and work in Tonga and I applied for the position and I guess it’s my calling. I am very excited," she told Matangi Tonga on May 10.

'Emeli said her attention would be focussed on improving the quality of education in schools, which is a similar goal to that of the Minister of Education.

Experience

Prior to working in Fiji, 'Emeli was a teacher in various Tongan government secondary schools and worked in senior level positions in the Ministry of Education, including Tonga Teacher’s College, Policy and Planning, and Administration.

She was also in charge of the administration of the National Commission for UNESCO, and headed the Scholarship Division while helping to establish and administer the Community Development and Training Centre.

The Tongan Cabinet approved 'Emeli's appointment as Director of the Ministry of Education, Women’s Affairs and Culture, starting from May 2.

'Emeli has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Graduate Diploma in Education from USP as well as an MA in Education Policy and Administration from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.