Children in classroom learning at the primary school level in Samoa
By Staff Writer
A World Bank report has found that reading levels for more than half of the 10-year olds in most Pacific Island countries are low.
The March Pacific Economic Update Report by the financing institution for 2024 showed reading standards for this age group do not meet International benchmarks.
“In some countries (Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu) two-thirds of 10-year-olds fall short of these standards,” according to the economic update report.
Palau is the exception where 90% of 10-year-olds meet international benchmarks in reading.
The report focuses on the future economic growth for the region and places the emphasis on education as the best option for island countries to invest in.
Quality teaching and better literacy for the children were identified as the way forward for the region’s economy to grow.
“Quality and well-resourced, evidence-based teacher training, and ensuring that children are taught in their first language – can deliver immense economic dividends for individuals, families, and society,” the report assured.
The investment in teacher training by Tonga provided the best example, where students’ future incomes increased by more than $12 for every dollar spent.
“If Pacific children struggle to read proficiently by the end of primary school, they will face daunting hurdles to succeed in their further education,” said World Bank Lead Economist for Human Development in the Pacific, Lars M. Sondergaard.
“While the situation is improving, progress is slow.
“The most important asset that Pacific island countries have is not their natural or physical resources, or their geographical location; it is their people.”
This new updated report noted that the economic growth for the region slowed down last year 2023 after a speedy recovered in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also predicts the slow down will continue into 2024 and 2025 “…as fiscal policies begin to tighten.”
Education in particular is seen as the key driver to invest in for longterm growth in the economy and for maintaining economic momentum.