Thousands of students in Tonga are set to benefit from enhanced educational facilities and systems, as the Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project receives an additional US$21 million in funding. This support will be used for construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of schools in vulnerable communities, ultimately benefiting 8,000 students with disaster-resilient classrooms and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
Stefano Mocci, World Bank Country Manager for the South Pacific, emphasized the project's impact: “This additional financing will mean Tongan students not only have safer and more resilient schools but also have expanded access to better learning opportunities. By upgrading classrooms and education systems, this project is making a real difference for students and their communities. We are proud to support the Government of Tonga in delivering these long-lasting benefits for young people.”
The original project has already completed new classrooms for 571 students at several schools including Atele, Kanokupolu, and Te’eiku. Further upgrades are planned at Euieki and Kolomotua schools starting in 2025. Work on six additional schools in Ha’apai is also expected to begin soon.
The funding will also support a comprehensive school maintenance program with a Pilot Maintenance Operations Manual being finalized. The Education Management Information System is operational in Tongatapu schools following successful coding and testing phases. The expansion into other regions aims to improve data management across the sector.
Curriculum revisions covering mathematics, science, English, and Tongan language are progressing with World Bank support aiding training for new modules.
The project is implemented by the Government of Tonga with additional financing from the Global Partnership for Education and governments of Australia and New Zealand through the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund. Technical assistance comes from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.
This initiative represents a crucial investment ensuring safe learning environments across Tonga amid future challenges.