Tonga is at the forefront of strengthening Early Childhood Education and Care (ECCE) in the Pacific, following the successful pilot of a School Readiness Tool.
This initiative, led by the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) and UNICEF, focuses on improving foundational skills for young learners.
The tool, based on the early Human Capability Index (eHCI), assesses children aged 3 to 5 across nine key domains, including literacy, numeracy, social skills, and cultural knowledge.
Previously used in Tonga, this contextualised version allows teachers to evaluate and track children’s readiness for primary school efficiently.
“Foundational skills acquired at the preschool level are essential for lifelong learning and success,” said SPC, noting the tool’s alignment with the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA).
Tonga’s leadership in ECCE is longstanding, with prior work such as the World Bank’s eHCI shaping this new approach.
The pilot highlights the country’s commitment to enhancing education outcomes and meeting regional goals under the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF).
The next steps involve scaling the tool across Tonga and the region, ensuring teachers are equipped to address developmental needs and foster school readiness for all children.