Tongan students are set to benefit from safer, more resilient schools, thanks to an additional $21 million in funding for the Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project.
This expansion aims to reach 8,000 students, ensuring disaster-resilient classrooms, staff housing, and improved hygiene facilities.
“This additional financing will mean Tongan students not only have safer and more resilient schools but also have expanded access to better learning opportunities,” said Stefano Mocci, World Bank Country Manager for the South Pacific.
The project has already delivered significant outcomes, with upgraded facilities completed for 571 students in ‘Atele, Kanokupolu, and Te’eiku. Further improvements at ‘Eueiki and Kolomotu’a schools are planned for 2025, alongside six additional schools in Ha’apai.
The initiative also includes a school maintenance program and an Education Management Information System, currently operational in Tongatapu, with plans to expand to other regions.
Revisions to key curricula—mathematics, science, English, and Tongan—are also underway, supported by teacher training and implementation strategies.
Funded by the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Education, and the governments of Australia and New Zealand, the project represents an important investment in Tonga’s education future, ensuring safe learning spaces and better opportunities for the nation’s youth.