Providing teachers with better training, coaching and classroom resources is critical to improving literacy and writing skills among children in Vanuatu, education leaders say.
The message was highlighted on Day Three of the National Education and Training Forum in Port Vila this week, where participants focused on the challenge of improving literacy, with discussions noting that many students continue to struggle with reading and writing.
Speaking to VBTC News, Sulua Primary and Junior Secondary School Principal on Maewo Island said one of the contributing factors to low literacy levels is that many teachers do not receive sufficient training before entering the classroom.
He said some trained teachers are not fully committed to delivering the curriculum, while many recent graduates from the School of Education are still struggling to fully understand the curriculum content, contributing to low literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Malampa Provincial Education Officer Renjo Samuel said improving literacy requires sustained investment in teachers through professional learning, continuous training and adequate classroom support.
“While we reform, we must also think about the level of implementation and the support we provide to our teachers and principals in our schools. We must resource them properly to ensure effective teaching and learning takes place and that literacy and numeracy challenges among our children are addressed.”
Presentations during the forum also reinforced that continuous professional development, ongoing coaching and access to quality teaching resources are essential to improving literacy outcomes for students across Vanuatu.
