Solomon Islander to Return From Vaka Pasifiki With Knowledge, Ideas
George Saemane of the Solomon Islands will return to his island home with more knowledge of preserving his culture and traditions.
At the same time he’d be able to impart best practice in teaching and learning when teaching. This is what he gained from the two-day Vaka Pasifiki Education Conference at the University of the South Pacific which saw over 300 participants from the region share ideas and impart knowledge on cultural preservation.
The Florence Young Christian School teacher said: “I have learned a lot of new things in the two day workshop and I will go and relay the message to my students back in the Solomon Islands. “Our tradition and culture is slowly dying and this conference encourages us to bring back how things used to be so that we can protect our identity.”
The theme of the conference is ‘It takes an island and an ocean: Rethinking Pacific Education for resilient, healthy communities’.
“We the elders need to continue instilling the values our forefathers taught us,” Mr Saemane said.
“I am glad that I participated because what I have learned encourages me to try and help the younger generation to be proud of who they are no matter how modernised things have become.”
University of Auckland accredited facilitator, Jacqueline Tutavake said: “I am glad to be part of the conference because I have learned a lot.
“This is the first time I am part of the Vaka Pasifiki Educational Conference and hopefully I will also attend the next one.
“We need to work together as Pacific Islanders to protect our identity and to encourage the young ones to also do so.
“Schools need to have a subject that teaches the students of their way of life and not just teach modern curriculums.”
The next Vaka Pasifiki Education Conference will be held in the Marshall Islands in 2020. Edited by Ranoba Baoa