Pacific Island nations are grappling with significant challenges in literacy education, emphasizing the urgent need for a blend of traditional teaching methods and digital resources. Dr. Michelle Belisle, Director of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) of the Pacific Community, stressed this necessity during the International Literacy Day celebrations in 2025. She highlighted that fundamental literacy skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—are pivotal for empowering citizens and encouraging active participation in society.
The 2021 Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) revealed a worrying trend: slightly over half of Year 6 students and less than 50% of Year 4 students in the region were able to meet the reading standards corresponding to their grade levels. This is in stark contrast to Australia, where around 95% of Year 4 students fulfill the same criteria.
Despite these concerning figures, Dr. Belisle pointed out the Pacific’s unique advantages, especially its rich storytelling traditions that improve children’s listening and speaking abilities. However, a considerable number of students enter school with limited exposure to printed materials, highlighting a critical area that needs attention and improvement.
The theme for the 2025 Literacy Day, “Weaving traditional literacy with digital tools in the Blue Pacific,” underscored the potential of digital resources to facilitate learning in remote regions. Dr. Belisle advocated for the integration of interactive applications, e-books, and videos to make the educational experience more engaging for students.
She emphasized the critical role of empowered teachers in the successful implementation of digital tools. It is imperative that educators receive the necessary support and training to effectively utilize these resources while avoiding the pitfalls often associated with digital education. This includes focusing on locally developed content that reflects Pacific cultures, thus making learning more relevant and meaningful for students.
Furthermore, Dr. Belisle reminded the audience that traditional literacy practices, such as storytelling, continue to hold immense value alongside digital methodologies. Ongoing investment in teacher empowerment and localized content creation is fundamental to driving transformative changes in literacy education across the Pacific.
In conclusion, Dr. Belisle believes that by enhancing educational strategies through empowered teachers and culturally significant resources, Pacific nations can create new opportunities for their youth. This approach is not only essential for individual growth but also plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Pacific communities, ensuring that every child acquires the literacy skills necessary to thrive in an evolving world. The integration of traditional and digital methods represents a promising step forward for literacy education in the region.