The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion and environmental conservation.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), through its Virtual University for Small States…
On 13 March 2025, the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the…
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is pleased to announce the release of…
The Honourable James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Professor Peter Scott @peter_scott, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) @COL4D, met in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on 17 March 2025.
Professor Scott is an official delegate to the Second Pacific Education Ministers Meeting – also known as the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) – and is attending ministerial roundtables and a meeting of development investors in the region.
This historic event marks the first time a Pacific Island nation has hosted the conference, which will bring together education ministers from 18 countries, including nine small island member countries, alongside Australia and New Zealand.
The theme of the meeting, "Transforming Edukesen (Education) for a Better Pacific," reflects a focus on adapting and improving education systems across the region to address shared priorities and global challenges.
#CPEM2025 #COL4D #PacificEducation #EducationForAll #TransformingEducation #CommonwealthOfLearning #PapuaNewGuinea #PacificLeaders #EducationInnovation #SustainableDevelopment #InclusiveEducation #CapacityBuilding
COL-VUSSC announces Webinar Series #4: “Advancing Caribbean Teachers (ACT) in Mathematics”.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), through its Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), invites stakeholders to the fourth webinar of the 'VUSSC Voices' series. Scheduled for Wednesday, 19 March 2025, this session focuses on 'Strengthening Mathematics Education: Lessons from the Eastern Caribbean,' presented by Dr Lois George of The University of the West Indies.
With a focus on Advancing Caribbean Teachers (ACT) in Mathematics she will discuss the foundational work being done with the Ministries of Education in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This includes in-service teachers, curriculum officers, mathematics coaches, and student teachers to advance their knowledge and skills for teaching mathematics through technology-enabled and gender-responsive approaches. The approach seeks to cultivate a community of practice whereby teachers utilise culturally and communicatively relevant methods with learners to enhance their mathematical skills and competencies.
The presentation will address lessons of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and their transferability across other SIDS of the Commonwealth and elsewhere. The aim is to inspire transformation within mathematics teaching and learning through culturally relevant and innovative pedagogies for accessibility and meaningful engagement, especially for learners in online and distance learning environments.
VUSSC is committed to expanding tertiary education in the Commonwealth member countries through distance modes and enabling small states to be active participants in online learning to bridge digital divides. It also seeks to heighten awareness around persons with disabilities (PWD) and build the capacity of tertiary systems to be responsive to their needs.
To this end, VUSSC works with Ministries and their agencies, post-secondary institutions, professional bodies and NGOs to implement a range of activities to address common areas of concern. VUSSC projects focus on:
• improving institutional and national effectiveness to deliver quality online and blended learning in the small states.
• increasing equitable and inclusive access to quality learning for PWDs and those who support them; and
• expanding access to competency-based courses in skill areas relevant to small countries.
Successfully addressing shared interests and common concerns through collaboration requires opportunities for engagement, interaction, and sharing of ideas and experiences, hence the need for “VUSSC Voices” webinars to be held bi-monthly.
Date & Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2025 at 09:00 hrs PDT/Vancouver (Time Zone converter)
Chair: Dr Schontal Moore, COL Adviser: VUSSC
Presenter: Dr Lois George, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus: “Strengthening Mathematics Education: Lessons from the Eastern Caribbean”
Webinar Objectives:
• To expand and strengthen alliances among VUSSC stakeholders.
• To facilitate sharing experiences, explore responses to common challenges, provide guidance, and promote knowledge sharing and collaboration across Commonwealth countries.
• To discuss the challenges small Commonwealth countries face in accessing high-quality post-secondary education.
• To highlight how VUSSC addresses these challenges through collaborative development and distance learning.
To register, visit: bit.ly/41i5ZVJ
Download the brochure for more information: www.col.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/COL_VUSSC_VOICES_4.pdf
#COL4D #Education #TeacherTraining #MathematicsEducation #CaribbeanTeachers #EdTech #OnlineLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #VUSSC #STEMEducation #TeachingMathematics #WebinarSeries #LifelongLearning
Skills Training Transforms Lives in the Solomon Islands.
A six-month training program has opened new doors for young people in the Pacific, equipping them with skills for business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The Pacific Partnership in Youth Skills, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship, delivered by the Tekelea Training Centre (TTC) with support from the Commonwealth of Learning @COL4D and funding from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade @MFATNZ, has made a lasting impact from August 2024 to January 2025.
For Jared Fafale, a 35-year-old participant, the experience was more than just skill-building—it was life-changing. Initially drawn to the program for its poultry farming component, Jared soon realised it offered much more, including small business management and community leadership. "I was really happy because they are essential courses—it gave me a complete package," he shared.
The program’s innovative approach combined traditional Melanesian storytelling, known as "Tok Stori," with digital tools such as Google Classroom, WhatsApp, and Zoom. This ensured accessibility for all participants, fostering both practical knowledge and confidence.
As TTC prepares for its second cohort, aiming to train over 100 youth, efforts are underway to expand technology access, transportation support, and facilities. With each new participant, the program continues transforming lives—one story at a time.
#COL4D #MFATNZ #SolomonIslands #YouthEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #PacificEducation #SkillsTraining
The Honourable James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Professor Peter Scott @peter_scott, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) @COL4D, met in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on 17 March 2025.
Professor Scott is an official delegate to the Second…
http://x.com/i/article/1901768569605787648
Skills Training Transforms Lives in the Solomon Islands.
A six-month training program has opened new doors for young people in the Pacific, equipping them with skills for business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The Pacific Partnership in Youth Skills, Leadership, and…
© 2025 Commonwealth of Learning. Content on this website is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike International license, with some exceptions as indicated.
;
