Education is the Foundation for Nation-Building

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of Fiji.

Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said that education has served as a foundation for the success of states which enjoy flourishing economies and prosperity. He was speaking at the opening of an Asia-Pacific mid-term review of the Commonwealth Education Action Plan organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in Nadi, Fiji Islands, on 19 April 2005. Mr Qarase stated education plays a key role in the development of a nation.

"Education opens the way forward not only for countries and individuals, but for all of humankind. It is an indispensable asset for economic, community and cultural development, and for securing social justice and peace."

The Prime Minister said people who are deprived of a good education are often disadvantaged throughout their lives and are unable to escape from poverty. 

"Give children from poor families a decent education and they receive the keys to a better future. Make education appropriate for a globalised world and countries can compete and progress; the young are able to pursue their ambitions wherever they choose to live and work. Teach students from racially disparate countries like Fiji how to live together at school with respect and understanding and you bridge the differences which make divisions. Instil in them the right values and you fortify the foundations of society."

The mid-term review, with the theme 'Good and Promising Practices in Education', brought together education ministers and senior officials from 13 Commonwealth countries. They included Brunei Darussalam, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Nauru, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The delegates, including representatives from the Commonwealth of Learning and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, reviewed the progress made since the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (15CCEM) in Edinburgh, UK, in 2003. 

The review focused on the good practices in education identified in the 15CCEM Action Plan. These include six action areas, namely, achieving universal primary education; eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education; quality in education; distance education; education in difficult circumstances; and the impact of HIV/AIDS in education. The delegates also exchanged country experiences and discussed challenges in addressing the education targets.

Ann Keeling, Director of the Social Transformation Programmes Division, said the outcomes of the Asia-Pacific meeting will benefit two other regional meetings later this year, leading up to the 16th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in South Africa next year.

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 231, 20 April 2005

Secretariat Links:

• Education Section