Skipping classes is not condoned: Nauru launches education reform to build a 'smart nation'

 By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Nauru’s government is beefing up the enforcement of compulsory class attendance while encouraging parents to get involved in their children’s education.

Mandatory presence in school and parental engagement are part of Nauru’s education reform agenda aimed at creating “the smart nation of the Pacific.” 

“Nauru is at the forefront of innovation in the Pacific and we’re charting a course for future prosperity where education will be a key to success,” President David Adeang said.

Nauru’s education ministry announced a new policy to keep the students in school during the instructional period.

The Nauru government is also testing an early warning system, giving authorities the power of intervention for students considered “at risk” of low attendance.

 “New regulations under the Education Act allow for fixed penalty notices to be issued to parents for non-attendance and we won’t hesitate to enforce these regulations,” said Asterio Appi, education minister.

He urged parents to view themselves as a child's "first teacher,” noting that they need to set the right example for their children and that there would be consequences for policy violations.

Nauru officials said the ambitious strategy is designed to equip the next generation of students with the knowledge and education skills they need to bring future prosperity to them, their families and the nation.

“Our greatest assets are our people and the government is determined to equip them with opportunities that empower them as individuals, while helping to generate national wealth.” Adeang said.

 He said a major priority was to strengthen student engagement and attendance through practical measures including prioritizing tertiary scholarships over secondary scholarships, which will “elevate the overall standard of education in Nauru.”

 “An improved local education system will also give more Nauruan students access to international educational opportunities that are key to realizing our ambition to be the Pacific’s ‘smart state’.”

Appi said the development of a new Assessment and Curriculum Framework along with new teacher standards were other key planks of the government’s education reform agenda.

“We’re undertaking national exam analytics to ensure students are rigorously assessed so that they’re properly equipped to benefit from a truly world class education,” Api said.

 “I’m absolutely determined to get more kids back in the classroom because that’s where they need to be if they want to succeed and contribute to Nauru’s future.

Adeang said Nauru’s path to future prosperity through recent innovative initiatives, including the passing of digital asset legislation and the climate resilience citizenship program, must be backed up by a quality, home-grown education system.

“The government believes that the true prosperity of our nation rests in the strength of our human capital,” he said.

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