The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT) has been a key education provider in the Kingdom of Tonga since 1828. Currently, it is the second largest education provider, after the government. The FWCT Education Department currently oversees the majority of Secondary education providers and a small percentage of primary and middle schools, as well as a number of Tertiary Institutes.

In 2008, The FWCT undertook a national review of their education system, culminating in the development of a new strategic plan. Through this review, the importance of early childhood education became apparent.

Many children have limited opportunities for social and skilled development in the pre-school years. Combined with education relating to childhood health-related issues, early childhood education is seen as an opportunity to engage children and their families in focused learning and pre-school preparation. In recognition of both the absence of early childhood education and the value of such education, Tongan communities have sought to initiate the establishment of such centres. These centres are being run in whatever space is available in the community and are run by dedicated women, most of whom have little or no education training.

The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, along with the support of UnitingWorld is seeking to strengthen the existing early childhood centres and establish new ones, particularly in remote areas of Tonga. At the beginning of 2011, the FWCT made a commitment to establish and/or support at least two early childhood centres a year.

Update February 2012

Over the Summer Semester, 13 kindergarten teachers participated in and completed formal training in Early Childhood Education (E.C.E) through the University of South Pacific, funded through the project.  The teachers are enthusiastically implementing what they have learned.

The enrollment of a student with a disability has raised awareness of the importance of incorporating special needs considerations into classroom design and the educational process and has motivated the teachers to work for an inclusive educational environment.

On Friday 24^th Feb, a new kindergarten was officially opened, replacing a former, overcrowded kindergarten in substandard facilities. This kindergarten has been designed and built to best cater to the local climate and meet the educational approaches being implemented through the FWCT.

Downloadable Resources

Project Sheet

All donations made to the Tonga Early Childhood project are tax deductible.