Nabilah S
In a significant move to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across the Pacific, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and its regional centre, the Pacific Centre for Flexible and Open Learning for Development (PACFOLD), recently held a three-day ‘OER for STEM Education’ workshop in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. This workshop, part of the Partnership for Open and Distance Flexible Learning in the Pacific and supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, concentrated on integrating Open Educational Resources (OER) and the transformative potential of Generative AI into STEM classrooms.
The initiative aims to rejuvenate STEM education throughout the Pacific by combining the creation and adaptation of OER with cutting-edge technologies such as Generative AI. This blend of technological strategies enables educators to develop tailored teaching materials, adjust content to meet the unique needs of their classrooms, and significantly improve student engagement. COL and PACFOLD aim to equip teachers and students with tools that can transform learning outcomes, particularly in environments where resources are limited.
The workshop, hosted at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Tonga campus, attracted 40 participants from various secondary schools. It adopted a mentorship model that has gained widespread popularity, where teachers collaborate with in-country education officials, subject specialists, and education technology experts to explore ways of integrating Open Educational Resources (OER) and other digital tools into STEM education. Participants were trained to use these tools to enhance pedagogy, collaborate efficiently, and tailor teaching methods to suit local contexts.
Representing the Ministry of Education and Training at the opening session, Acting Director for Secondary Education, Mrs. Óketi Akauola, expressed gratitude to COL and New Zealand for their support in improving the quality of science education in Tonga. She emphasized the long-term benefits of the initiative, stating, “There is a significant need to enhance teaching approaches and resources used in STEM subjects. For example, in the 2023 Tonga National Form Seven Certificate, no student qualified for admission into Medicine. This focus on STEM is therefore timely for our country.”
Mrs. ‘Ana Ve’ehala, Acting Director of USP Tonga Campus, also acknowledged the importance of technology in education, remarking, “This workshop reflects a shared commitment to advancing education through innovation. OER and AI provide the necessary tools to tackle the challenges facing STEM education in the Pacific.”
Following the workshop, mentors from the Ministry and USP Tonga Campus continue to support peer engagement to foster a community of practice among STEM educators in the region.
The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Betty Ogange, COL’s Education Specialist: Teacher Education, alongside Dr. Rajni Chand, Director of PACFOLD at USP in Fiji.
