Sixteen government-run schools in Vanuatu have been transferred from the government’s management responsibility to the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu.
This was sealed in an agreement signed by Bishop of the Anglican Dioceses of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, Bishop James Ligo, and the caretaker Minister of Education, Toara Daniel, on Friday marking the historical event.
The transfer of the 16 government-run schools to the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu became effective on the day of the signing agreement between the Church and the Government.
Of the 16 schools, six are in the Torba Province that include; Robin school in Torres islands, Sanlang on Vanuala, Vaget on Gaua, Telhei on Motalava, Pasalele on Mota and Shem Rolly on Ureparapara. All six schools are primary from Year 1 to Year 6.
In Penama Province, the schools transferred to the Anglican Diocese include; Belmotri, Enkul, Gamalmaua, Tanbok, Limi Memorial and Bwatnapne, Ala Memorial on Ambae and Vuigalato also on Ambae.
Two schools on Maewo transferred from the Government to the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu are Sulua and Naviso. Some of these schools are primary and others Secondary schools.
The 16 primary and secondary schools were administered by the Vanuatu Government through the Provincial Education Board until last Friday when the signing agreement was completed for the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu to take over the management of the schools.
Speaking after sealing the agreement, the caretaker Minister of Education, Toara Daniel, said the handing over of the 16 schools by the Ministry of Education to the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu, is in fact in line with the Vanuatu national government policy and the Ministry of Education Act to transfer the schools to the churches in Vanuatu.
The caretaker minister, Toara Daniel, confirmed that the schools will still be supported by the national government through the Ministry of Education financially and with teachers and staffing, but the schools’ management will be organized and run by the churches.
The schools will continue to adhere to the national educational curriculum also.
He said he was pleased with the agreement reached with the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu because he has been to some of the Anglican-run schools in Vanuatu and was pleased with the management, the behaviors and disciplines in the way the church schools are run and managed.
He gave examples of some of the government schools where students consume alcohol and end up in jail and some either suspended or sacked for social issues that have tarnished the reputation of those schools.
He also said not only the students that have been involved in such unwanted social issues but also the teachers who were supposed to be setting good examples to the students.
Daniel said he believes the church will improve the management and the atmosphere that will provide better and healthier learning place for the students and the teachers issues will also be seriously addressed by the church.
In his response, Bishop James Ligo assured the caretaker minister and the Vanuatu Government that the Anglican Diocese will do all it can to ensure improvement and upgrading of the overall managements of the schools that have now been transferred.
“The church will apply management techniques that will ensure ethics and values become centerfold through molding of the students and also the teachers.
“There will be resolutions that will help re-shape teachers’ life and habits.
“As for the students and teachers as well, we want to see the balance of physical and spiritual developments that will produce a ‘whole person’ to be respectful, dedicated and loyal leaders of this country in whatever jobs they hold whether in the government, private sector, NGOs, or the Churches in the future,” said Bishop Ligo.
He said this is one of the major focus of the Church on training the students both in academic as well as social behaviour to be future men and women of integrity, trustworthy and with right vision for the good spiritual and circular development of the country.
“The church always upholds the principles of students leaving the school with both high academic and moral standard that will equip them to be trusted by the community of Vanuatu at large in whatever undertaking they do in contributing to the running and the development of our nation now and in future,” said Bishop James Ligo.
He concluded by stating that students from different Christian faith and background will continue to remain in those 16 schools and the future students alike.
He gave the example that the SDA students for example, will keep the Sabbath and Worship on Sabbath and do their homework on Sundays and this will apply to all students from different Christian faith background.