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Solomon Islands Case Study

Lighting a Fire - VSAs role in promoting education leadership in the SolomonIslands, examines Volunteer Service Abroads contribution to in-service teachertraining in the Solomon Islands, and the role of New Zealand volunteers in

strengthening educational leadership. VSA has been involved in education in thePacific for nearly 50 years and for most of that time it has been providing NewZealand volunteers to schools as teachers and educationalists. However therehas been a shift in development thinking which has seen this approachquestioned and more emphasis placed on teacher training and professionaldevelopment. This case study, based on quantitative and qualitative research ofVSAs recent experience in the Solomon Islands, discusses a new approach tostrengthening school leadership for the many remote, isolated and under-resourced schools of the Solomon Islands. Six lessons emerged from theresearch:

Traditional approaches to volunteering need to be regularly reviewed to

ensure that they remain relevant.

Completing a detailed survey, undertaking a critical analysis, and presentingthe results can shift thinking and lead to fresh approaches.

Volunteers are in a unique position to recognise and mobilise communitystrengths and assets.

What is happening at the grass roots can inform high level planning.

A centralised approach to development has a limited impact on adecentralised population.

A small number of volunteers can have a significant impact if their efforts are

well focussed.

Tokelau Case Study

Rethinking Tokelau Education - Tokelau and the role of New Zealand volunteers,reviews and evaluates Volunteer Service Abroads Tokelau programme andidentified the impacts of the work of twenty eight New Zealand volunteers duringthe period from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2010. This study, using quantitative andqualitative methods, charts the history of VSAs decade long engagement withthe Government of Tokelau, identifies the contribution of New Zealandvolunteers to the development of education in Tokelau, outlines the findings of arecent study, identifies lessons learnt, and looks to the future. Five lessons wereidentified:

Tokelau is a complex and challenging environment to promote change - thereare no simple answers and good change takes time.

A planned, comprehensive approach is required to improve TokelauEducation.

In-Service Teacher Training is an important aspect of any Programme ofEducation improvement on Tokelau.

Respectful, long-term partnerships are necessary to ensure sustainable

development.

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Traditional approaches to formal education in Tokelau have had limitedsuccess, rethinking Tokelau education from a Pacific perspective may be away forward.