Building Teaching Skills to Improve Learning across Classrooms in Tuvalu

Funafuti, Tuvalu, 20 May 2026 – Tuvalu’s Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is leading a national effort to strengthen the quality of learning in schools across the country by supporting teachers to build their skills, qualifications, and leadership over the coming years.

Funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and supported by UNICEF and the University of the South Pacific’s Institute of Education, this US$2.5 million programme is expecting around 970 children to directly benefit from improved teaching and learning in classrooms.

This investment responds to a critical need in Tuvalu’s education system. Many teachers, especially in the outer islands, are currently teaching without formal training. National data show that fewer than half of primary school teachers, and only a quarter of secondary school teachers, hold formal teaching qualifications.

Recent education reforms now require all teachers to have at least a Bachelor of Education. This has created an urgent need for accessible, flexible pathways that allow teachers to upgrade their skills while continuing to teach in the classroom.

Through this programme, a cohort of primary teachers will complete or continue their Bachelor of Education, building the skills and knowledge needed to become effective educators. Training will cover teaching methods, classroom practice, and learning theories delivered through a blended mode of online study, face‑to‑face workshops, as well as hands‑on support in schools. This is so teachers can continue teaching while they learn and meet national requirements without leaving their schools or communities.

Teachers who have not yet had access to formal training will receive Foundational Training modules. This will offer simple, practical classroom skills designed to reflect the real experience of teaching in Tuvalu. By keeping training flexible and close to schools, teachers in both Funafuti and the outer islands will be able to participate.

In addition, a cohort of emerging leaders will also complete the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership, preparing them for future roles as principals or senior leaders. This will help create better learning experiences for both teachers and students.

Easy‑to‑use digital training tools will be introduced that continue supporting teachers long after the programme ends, helping build a stronger education system for the future.

Through this multi‑year investment, which will run until the end of 2029, the programme will support almost 30 per cent of primary teachers across Tuvalu and reach all untrained teachers as the foundational modules are rolled out nationwide. All teachers - particularly those working in remote and outer island schools - will also receive mentoring, helping ensure children receive quality education no matter where they live.

The initiative supports Tuvalu’s Education Sector Plan IV (2025–2030), which recognizes teachers as central to improving learning outcomes. It also complements ongoing education support in Tuvalu, including programmes supported by Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), particularly in continuous professional development for teachers*.

###

Quotes

“Our teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of Tuvalu, so it is crucial that they get the support, training and opportunities they need to grow professionally while continuing to serve their communities,” said the MEHRD Permanent Secretary, Ms. Tamarisi Alemenia. “When teachers succeed, our students succeed, and our whole country benefits.”

“Teachers are the backbone of every education system. When teachers are well trained, supported and equipped to lead, children are far more likely to learn, thrive, and build the skills they need for the future,” said GPE’s Chief Executive Officer, Laura Frigenti. “Through this partnership, GPE is proud to support Tuvalu’s efforts to ensure that teachers across the country - wherever they teach - have access to quality training without leaving their classrooms, helping strengthen learning opportunities for every child across the country.”

“It is the children who feel the difference in classrooms when their teachers are supported: the difference in how they learn, how they participate, and how they see themselves. This programme will develop learning opportunities for teachers in Tuvalu to provide stronger classroom experience for children across all islands,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Hamish Young. “I would like to thank MEHRD for their leadership, GPE for their generous support, and all our partners for their shared commitment to Tuvalu’s teachers and children.”

"Australia welcomes this important investment in Tuvalu’s teachers and education system. Supporting teachers to strengthen their skills and leadership is critical to improving learning outcomes for children and building a resilient education system for the future,” said the Australian High Commissioner to Tuvalu, David Charlton. “This initiative complements Australia’s longstanding support for education in Tuvalu and reflects our shared commitment to ensuring all children have access to quality learning opportunities.”