Dear Editor, Dear Joe TP, thank you for your thoughtful letter to the editor. I understand your frustration and share your deep concern for the future of education in the Cook Islands. While I appreciate the passion with which you present your ideas, I’d like to address the points raised and provide insight into the work we are currently doing to ensure the best possible outcomes for all our students.

Tereora College – Our National College: Let me start by stating that Tereora College is not just another school; it is our National College, and we fully recognise its importance. We want it to operate as such, with the highest standards in staffing, resources, and face-to-face learning. Our students deserve nothing less, and we are committed to ensuring that Tereora is not only fully staffed with qualified professionals but also a place of excellence that our Pa Enua schools can rely on for further education pathways. Schools in the Pa Enua depend on a well-functioning Tereora College to provide opportunities and continue educational journeys, and we are determined to meet that need. Most of all, we want the public to be proud of the school and confident that our education system is providing for our children positively. We recognise that this trust will take time to build.

Tereora and NCEA Results: Regarding how we all judge Tereora – its NCEA results – I’d like to highlight that, in comparison to Māori and Pacific students in New Zealand, our Cook Islands students are arguably in a better position. Our national averages are on par with New Zealand’s, and we have seen significant achievements in this area. However, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement, and we are focused on raising the bar even further. The major changes to NCEA and the New Zealand education system are significant obstacles that we need to overcome, as are the well-discussed numeracy and literacy issues in both New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Pa Enua Solutions and Technology: You mentioned online learning systems like those in New Zealand, and I want to emphasise that the solutions for Pa Enua schools are closely tied to technology. We are making strides in this area, particularly with the installation of Starlink, which is helping to bridge the connectivity gap and allow more access to online resources. However, Tereora College is where face-to-face learning should take precedence, and this remains our priority. We believe in building strong relationships between students and teachers, as this fosters the social, emotional, and academic development that cannot be achieved through “screens” alone.

Challenges Across the Entire System: It’s important to note that the challenges we face in education are not isolated to Tereora College; they exist across all schools and the system as a whole and as you may have read exist across New Zealand as well. We are dealing with the complexities of teacher shortages, resource constraints, curriculum and NCEA changes and maintaining school infrastructure across the country. Our focus is on addressing these issues holistically, and while Tereora’s struggles may be publicly challenged, they do not exist in isolation. Education in the Cook Islands faces these struggles and we are equally committed to supporting every school in the Cook Islands.

Teacher Shortages and Staffing: Teacher shortages are a global problem, and here in the Cook Islands, we feel it acutely. While the idea of bringing in expatriate teachers may seem like an easy solution, the reality is more complicated. Expatriates are often deterred by our salary packages, even with incentives such as housing, because they can earn significantly more in other countries. We cannot simply hire any expatriate; we need qualified professionals who are committed to contributing to our educational system, which follows the New Zealand system by Act of Parliament. This means that the expatriates we do appoint need to be familiar with and have a deep understanding of the New Zealand curriculum and NCEA. Additionally, inequities may arise between local and expatriate staff salaries if we overindulge the demands of expatriates. This is why our focus is on growing our own teachers – investing in the training and development of local talent. This approach ensures that we build a sustainable workforce that understands the unique cultural and educational needs of our students.

Principal and Teacher Development: We are working with principals and teachers daily to address the issues you’ve raised. Our Education Masterplan for 2024-2034 includes targeted programmes to improve teacher quality, enhance school leadership, and ensure that both students and staff have the support they need to succeed. Professional development is crucial, and yes, we have challenges with staffing and resource allocation, but we are tackling these head-on with plans to recruit, train, and retain the best educators we can.

Teacher-Only Days and School Calendar: Regarding teacher-only days, I want to clarify that under the Education Act, schools are required to be open for 195 days per year. However, here in the Cook Islands, we are open for 200 days, specifically to enable five of those days to be used for teacher-only days. This ensures no learning time is compromised. In fact, the opposite is true – teachers spend these days in professional development, which enhances their skills and directly benefits student learning outcomes.

Discipline and Classroom Management: Discipline and respect for teachers are indeed critical issues. We are working to implement stronger behaviour management strategies and provide additional support for students with emotional or behavioural difficulties. This is a priority for us, and we recognise that a respectful, structured learning environment is essential for academic success. But, as you point out, respect and discipline start in the home.

Whole Community Responsibility: One point we agree on wholeheartedly is that this challenge requires a whole-community response. The Ministry of Education cannot do this alone. We need teachers, principals, government, parents, grandparents, community leaders, and everyone involved to play their part. Our children’s education is the responsibility of us all, and we must work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. We need to value education! Can we all do better … yes indeed!

School Management and Infrastructure: In terms of school management and maintenance, we recognise that improvements are needed. We are addressing these through a number of initiatives, and we agree that a whole-of-government approach is necessary to ensure our schools are fully functional. Maintenance, IT infrastructure, and resource management are priorities, and we are working to streamline processes to avoid unnecessary delays. Unlike New Zealand, we operate a centralised education system where the Ministry of Education manages the schools. Given our size, this is the most logical approach and will not be changing. However, it is important that we streamline processes to ensure they remain efficient and manageable. Can we do better? Yes!

Expatriate Teachers and Training Opportunities: Sending teachers abroad to learn from other systems is a great idea but do they return? We already offer scholarships for teachers to study overseas and return with new skills. However, we cannot rely on this, expatriate teachers and overseas secondments as a long-term solution. We need to build local capacity. In our Masterplan, we emphasise growing our own teachers through enhanced training programmes and career pathways that will ensure our education system is sustainable for the future.

Yes, we have challenges. However, despite popular belief, we know that the grass is not necessarily greener in New Zealand or elsewhere. Our focus is on developing homegrown solutions that meet the needs of our community. The Education Masterplan 2024-2034 lays out a clear path forward, and we are confident that with the support of the government, principals, teachers, and the wider community, we can overcome these obstacles. We are actively addressing the issues you’ve highlighted, and we ask for your continued patience and collaboration as we work together to improve education for all our children.

Let’s not forget that education is a journey, not a quick fix. We are making progress, and we remain dedicated to ensuring a brighter future for all students in the Cook Islands.

Meitaki ngao

Owen Lewis

Secretary of Education