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Children are at the Centre of Everything

“With the Child Friendly School concept we have to include children in everything. Children are at the centre of everything. They come first and their thoughts on things matter very much.” These are the words used by the Provincial Education Officer, Raymond Nasse to describe the Child Friendly School concept, as he sits in his bright office. It’s a sunny day and the sunlight has highlighted the detail of this yellow painted spacious room. As Provincial Education Officer and Project Director, Raymond is responsible for administering the whole education system in Tafea Province, which comprises of 5 islands: Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Aneityum and Erromango. His responsibilities take him away from his wife and 6 children quite often but he says they understand and are used to it now.

Out of the 5 islands in the Tafea Province, the Ministry of Education chose Tanna to pilot the Child Friendly School project. Raymond is aware that not all schools in Tanna are Child Friendly and he is adamant in assisting them to become Child Friendly. “We are working on making them Child Friendly and if they already are, then more child-centered,” he said. When discussing the challenges they face, he is perceptive. “We don’t look at anything negative. If there is anything negative, for instance trying to create and raise awareness on the importance of education, we try and overcome that challenge by reaching out or going out more into the villages and settlements to explain to these people.”

One such example is of Belinda Yawak. In Tanna, it is common for children to attend school at a later age. Many parents and grandparents feel that learning customs and traditions override the importance of education. It was not until the teachers and Zone Curriculum Advisors talked to Belinda’s community about the importance of education did her parents allow her to attend Loukatai Primary School. Belinda is one
of the many children in Tanna who are caught between the modern and traditional dynamics of this day and age. Traditionally she should be at home learning how to weave, cook, fish and garden. But today, with the commitment and persistence of Zone Curriculum Advisors, principals and teachers she is able to attend school.
“What is your name?” asked the shy yet confident girl in the class. When the UNICEF Pacific Officer replies, she smiles and runs to tell her friends. The teacher explains that she can’t speak much English because this is her first year in school. At 9 years of age she is old enough to be in class 4. “Her parents thought education was not important so they sent her to school late,” observed the teacher. Belinda giggles playfully as she watches from behind a group of friends. She towers over those in her class and is not aware that she is one of the oldest. “I think school is good because my teacher is nice and I like to play with my friends,” explains Belinda. This is the most she can say in English as she is only fluent in Bislama and her local dialect.

A couple of years from now she may be able to tell us more about herself, but for now she is proud of the little English she can speak. “It is for the children. We have to include children first to find a solution and include them in everything,” says Raymond proving his point with the above example. With that optimistic expression, the project should be successful.