Author: TMC Palau

A recent Devpolicy Blog post, “The science of scale: what works to implement effective education programs?” (hereafter, “the post”) discusses a session on scaling education interventions held at the 2025 Australasian Aid and International Development Conference. As factors critical for achieving scale, the article emphasises the importance of evidence, leadership, evaluation and collaboration among policymakers, implementers and evaluators. What is scale? The core idea of scale in international development is bringing benefits to more people. Scale is defined here as the geographical spread of benefits to more districts, schools, teachers and learners. The OECD’s Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation…

Education Minister Aseri Radrodro with students. [Photo:SUPPLIED] Parliament has passed the Education Bill 2025. The new law delivers major reforms to Fiji’s education system. Government states it will modernise governance, improve standards, and expand access across all levels of learning. However, the passage of the bill came after a key dispute over private schools exposed what MPs described as a major regulatory gap. The bill replaces the Education Act 1966. It introduces a wider framework covering school governance, curriculum oversight, teacher registration and institutional accountability.Article continues after advertisement Government maintains the reforms are aimed at aligning education with national development…

[File Photo] Out of more than 7,500 graduates since 2023, only 47 per cent are captured in employment data. This raises concern over graduate job absorption and the return on public scholarship spending. The government is now tightening Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Scheme arrangements. The aim is to improve completion rates, strengthen student support, and lift employment outcomes. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro confirmed the changes in Parliament yesterday. He said 7,528 students graduated after 2023. About 3,540 graduates, or 47 per cent, are recorded as employed through FNPF data. “This is the first time in the history of scholarship administration…

Labasa FC coach Alvin Chand says protecting their unbeaten home record since the Battle of the Giants final was one of the key motivations behind their hard-fought win over Rewa FC in the Extra Premier League over the weekend at Subrail Park. Chand revealed that his players knew they could not afford to disappoint their home supporters, especially against a quality Rewa side that had troubled them in recent meetings. “The second motivation is we haven’t lost a game at our home ground since the BOG final. So the boys knew these things were at stake and we couldn’t let…

[Photo: FILE] Ministry of Employment is positioning Labour Management Consultation and Cooperation Committees as a key mechanism to improve workplace productivity, reduce disputes, and strengthen cooperation between employers and workers across Fiji. Minister Agni Deo Singh told Parliament that LMCCCs, established under the Employment Relations Regulations 2008, are required in all workplaces with 20 or more employees, including private-sector companies, government agencies, statutory bodies, and local authorities. He says the committees are designed as workplace-based platforms that promote dialogue between employers and workers before issues escalate into formal disputes. LMCCCs provide a structured space to review workplace practices, address productivity…

[Photo: FILE] Fiji has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting 30 percent of its marine spaces by 2030 as climate change continues to place growing pressure on ocean ecosystems and coastal communities. Speaking at the launch of the Pacific Climate Justice and Sea Level Rise Week, Lynda Tabuya says Fiji aims to ensure 100 percent of the country’s ocean spaces are sustainably and effectively managed, with 30 percent designated as marine protected areas by the end of the decade. Tabuya says the ocean remains central to Fiji’s identity, culture, livelihoods, and future. “Fiji is committed to ensuring that 100% of Fiji’s…

[File Photo] Rising fuel prices and mounting living costs are forcing families and businesses across Fiji to make tough changes to how they live, travel and operate, as financial pressure continues to intensify nationwide. In maritime communities, the impact is being felt strongly, with households cutting back on purchases from the mainland and carefully managing travel to reduce expenses. Businesses are also feeling the brunt of it as they look to adjust their offerings and services to manage operational costs. Among those heavily affected is Kolinio Mataiyaga’s family, who reside in a maritime community.Article continues after advertisement Mataiyaga says families…

Ulong Island beaches – credit, Matt Kieffer CC 2.0. Wikimedia Native species like the Endangered Palau ground dove have significantly increased in number thanks to a successful restoration campaign on Ulong Island in Palau. Working together in 2023-24, government agencies advised and assisted by the NGO Island Conservation, removed damaging invasive rats which devoured native bird eggs and young, decimated native plant populations through seed predation, preyed on native crabs, and disrupted food webs—ultimately threatening ecosystem collapse. Endangered Ground doves safely exploring the forest floor – Credit, Island Conservation Now, after one full year of rigorous monitoring—including trail cameras, eDNA…

[File Photo] The Government says delays in payments under the General Practitioner Partnership Program and Laboratory Partnership Program are largely due to anomalies and irregularities identified in claims submitted by some service providers. Responding to a question from Faiyaz Koya in Parliament, Esrom Immanuel acknowledged that payments to providers under the schemes have been delayed. Immanuel says the delays are not due to a lack of commitment by the government to meet its financial obligations. He says they are instead linked to discrepancies in documentation and issues uncovered during the verification process.Article continues after advertisement The Minister says 52 approved…

TAIWAN has started to strengthen Pacific alliances ahead of the regional leaders’ meeting scheduled for 2026. After a visit early this month, Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, said he saw impressive advancement the bilateral partnership with Palau. And Taiwan said the visit underscored its commitment to enhancing economic and trade ties with one of its three Pacific allies. With Palau set to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum, Taiwan has a unique opportunity to showcase its ability in agriculture, aviation, electronics, health, technology, and trade without interference from China. At the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara, Solomon…