Press Release
March 5, 2007 will mark a Historical point for education in the Kingdom of Tonga. The Ministry of Education will start Tonga’s first Inclusive/Special Education classroom at Ngeleia Side School and Ngeleia GPS.
The Pilot Classroom will begin its first full day of class on March 5, 2007. Parents are ecstatic and grateful that children with disabilities will now be recognized and supported through their educational careers. For many parents, this will be the first time their child will attend school with their peers, wearing a school uniform
The P.R.I.D.E. Project is funded through the European Union and NZaid, partnering with the Ministry of Education in Tonga. Malakai Kaufusi, Senior IE/SE Project Officer states that, “The Pilot classroom will give us quality information so when other special education classrooms open in other schools we will know what will work best for the families in Tonga. The key to the success of these classrooms will depend on the support of our village communities, listening to families, and ensuring that it is a model that will work for years to come”
Ms. Anderson, US Peace Corps, Mrs. Latu, MoE, Ms. Brindal, AUS Volunteer, and Ms. Miles, AUS Volunteer spent the past 3 months in preparing and coordinating lesson plans, IEP forms, basic sign language, classroom structure, classroom milieu, and behavior management strategies.
“The Lord has opened the door for us to meet the needs of ALL children in Tonga, especially those with disabilities.” Says Malakai Kaufusi, Senior IE/SE Project Officer, “Having children with “different abilities” studying together in a classroom will only enhance and enrich the educational experience for all our children in Tonga.”
Contact: Malakai Kaufusi, PRIDE Project Officer
Phone: (676) 52-044 / Fax: 28-892
PRIDE Office
Nukualofa, Tongatapu
Ministry of Education
