Cook Islands Ministry of Education is undertaking a curriculum refresh to update the outdated curriculum and better align it with New Zealand, with the aim of implementing all changes by 2027.

The Ministry of Education has announced that it is reviewing the Cook Islands curriculum, the foundational document for all primary and secondary schools in the country, with the aim of enhancing the quality of education in the nation.

According to the Ministry, the “curriculum refresh” will value language, culture, and heritage so students can see themselves, their communities, and their families as a part of their journey to being successful and capable learners.

Tania Morgan, Ministry of Education executive director, says the Ministry has identified gaps in the primary school system, partially attributed to an outdated curriculum.

“Seventeen years without it being reviewed, updated…there’s going to be problems,” Morgan told Cook Islands News.

“So, we’re undertaking a huge amount of a work at the moment with a curriculum refresh.”

The refresh has started with the development of new English, Mathematics and Statistics essential learning areas, providing further support for literacy and numeracy in schools.

The Ministry aims to implement all changes by 2027.

Morgan explained that the refreshed curriculum would be more closely aligned with New Zealand.

“It’s a mammoth amount of work we’re undertaking at the moment and there are the challenges.”

In May this year, the Ministry used e-asTTle online learning and assessment tool for students in Years 4 – 10 (primary school) in Rarotonga and in the Southern Group.

The assessment tool is used to assess students’ achievement and progress in reading, mathematics and writing.

Morgan noted that the longitudinal data to be collected would offer improved insights into areas requiring development.

She added that the assessment tool isn’t a pass or fail. The students will be assessed twice yearly, in terms two and four of each academic year.

While announcing the Education Masterplan 2008-2023, comprising initiatives to address the evolving needs of the Cook Islands learners earlier this month, Secretary of Education Owen Lewis acknowledged “essentially, we’ve got some problems in education, we’re not going to hide that”.

While defending the performance of Tereora College students, Lewis said there were some serious issues in every primary school starting from year four, and they are trying to fix the problem.

He added that Tereora College is judged annually, and they’ve found ways to achieve success despite the results from the primary school tests.

“So, all this negative feedback on Tereora is unfound and unfair,” Lewis said. “We know this is not too dissimilar from New Zealand, that's what New Zealand is going through … our achievement is not too bad.”

The Education Masterplan 2024-2034 is structured around three strategic pillars:

·         Learning and Educational Excellence: Focusing on the delivery of educational services, ensuring that all learners have access to quality teaching, culturally responsive curriculum, and learning environments that foster their holistic development.

·         Corporate and Operational Excellence: Recognising that a robust education system requires strong organisational foundations, dedicated to enhancing the Ministry of Education’s operational efficiency, financial management, and human resources. It also addresses the critical need for resilient infrastructure, technological integration, and sustainability in our educational facilities.

·         Policy Development and Innovation: To remain at the forefront of educational progress, this pillar emphasises the development of evidence-based policies, the integration of cutting-edge educational trends and technologies, and the cultivation of a culture of continuous improvement. It also underscores the importance of transparent communication and stakeholder engagement in shaping educational outcomes.