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World Teachers' Day commemorated as 250 million children do not learn basic skills

By
Kaniva Pacific
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If teachers have “appropriate contracts and salaries” as well as proper resources and training they can manage to address problems that millions of children in the world faced in not knowing the basic education skills, according to a statement that read out to hundreds of teachers and students in Nuku’aofa yesterday.

Marking the World Teacher’s Day, Lady Tuna Fielakepa, a government retired Chief Education Officer, read the statement from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which says that 250 million children, “over half of whom have spent four years in school”, around the world today do not learn  the basic education skills  because of teachers working “without resources or proper training”.

It says that a“high-quality pre-and in-service training for teachers, based on respect for human rights and the principles of inclusive education; and effective management, including teacher recruitment and deployment” are important to maintain teachers’ willingness and aspiration.

The international body says for the teachers to be efficient and effective in their roles they need necessary and essentials tools.

“Equipping teachers to succeed is therefore a priority. This means rigorous training, better conditions for employment, quality-based teacher recruitment, thoughtful deployment and attracting new teachers and talents, especially young people and women from under-represented communities”, it says.

There are increasing problems Tongan communities around the world face today such as school violence, abortions, youth crimes as well as drugs related crimes and Tongan community leaders are struggling to find a solution that can best resolve them.

UNESCO says, “A good education enables [children], as global citizens, to respond to the challenges of a complex world, and contribute to building peaceful and sustainable communities”.

In central Nuku’alofa yesterday teachers, school children and supporters paraded along Taufa’ahau Rd to Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium where students presented a number of entertainment items to celebrate the historical day.

Tonga’s Minister of Education Dr ‘Ana Maui Taufe’ulungaki led the march which was joined by leaders of schools from churches and government.

Tonga commemorated the 20th anniversary of the World Teachers’ Day two days ahead of the actual date which is October 5. This year’s theme is – Invest in the future, invest in teachers.

Princess Fusipala Vaha'i dies

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Princess ‘Elisiva Fusipala Tauki’onetuku Vaha’i, 65, died in the United States a source close to the family said.

It was understood she was admitted to Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame in California few weeks ago.

The King of Tonga’s first cousin was the second of six children born to Late Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake and Princess Melenaite Tukuʻaho.

She married to Late Lord Hahano-ki-Mala’e Kula-‘a Sione Ngū Namoa also known as Lord Vaha’i (1936–2005).

Princess Tauki’onetuku is survived by his two sons, Lord Vahaʻi and Siosifa ‘Alematea Vaha’i as well as two  daughters,  ‘Elisiva Tauki’onetuku Vaha’i Vete and Sinaitakala -‘Ofeina-‘E he-Langi Leanahola Vaha’i.

Tonga chamber of commerce has new president

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has announced the Director of Pacific Retail company, John Paul Chapman, 33,  as its new head during a meeting on September 29.

The organisation aimed at boosting economic growth by linking members with government and private sectors.

Fostering a friendly atmosphere for networking among members, TCCI also creates learning and training opportunities for business people.

Mr Chapman replaces Aloma Johanson who becomes his assistant.

King gives direction to conduct election

By
Kaniva Pacific
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His Majesty King Tupou VI has given the green light for this year’s General Election.

King Tupou VI has signed the writ directing the Electoral Commission to conduct the General Election on 27 November 2014.

This is the formal authority to run the 2014 election, and enables candidate nominations to open on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 October 2014 from 10am until 3pm.

The writ sets out key constitutional steps in the election process, the dates for candidate nominations to close, election day and the date the writ must be returned showing the successful electorate candidates.

“It is important that all nomination documents are completed by the candidate considering the time available for the registration process to take place”, said Tonga’s Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki.

 

Lord Fakafanua, Tonga’s speaker of parliament, to wed commoner

By
Kalino Latu
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One of the wealthiest and most highly ranked nobles in Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, 29, will wed a commoner on October 15.

Lord Fakafanua, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho’s eldest brother, will exchange vows with Fane Kite in Nuku’alofa.

Details of the impending marriage were confirmed to Kaniva News by one of his heralds in Auckland, Kula-‘i-‘Aotealoa.

The bride is the second daughter of the late Sione Kite, former Tongan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former manager of Princess Pilolevu’s satellite company.

Kula said Fakafanua’s kāinga in Aotearoa will hold a fundraising concert tomorrow in Mangere to raise money that will be donated for the wedding.

Members of the kingdom’s nobility usually seek partners among other noble families or the royal family to ensure their social standing.

The Fakafanua line reached its highest standing connection to the royal family through Lord Fakafanua’s mother, ‘Ofeina-‘E he- Langi Fakafanua.

Lord Fakafanua
Lord Fakafanua

‘Ofeina, the late Fakafehi Tu’ipelehake’s youngest daughter, is King Tupou VI’s first cousin.

Lord Fakafanua was elected Speaker of the Tongan Parliament in 2012 and is the youngest person to hold the position.

His estates include Ma’ufanga, Faleloa in Ha’apai and Nga’akau in Tefisi, Vava’u.

Ma’ufanga is among Nuku’alofa’s wealthiest suburbs, harbouring Tonga’s
main wharf, Kuini Salote and  Faua harbour. It is home to many big businesses, including night clubs, which lease premises from Lord Fakafanua.

Lord Fakafanua’s wedding follows that of his second cousins, Hon. Lupepau’u Tuita Taione and Hon. Frederica Tuita Filipe. Their weddings to commoners in 2012 drew substantial international media attention.

The main points

  • One of the wealthiest and most highly ranked nobles in Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, 29, will wed a commoner on October 15.
  • Lord Fakafanua, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho’s eldest brother, will exchange vows with Fane Kite in Nuku’alofa.
  • The bride is the second daughter of the late Sione Kite, former Tongan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former manager of Princess Pilolevu’s satellite company.
  • Lord Fakafanua was elected Speaker of the Tongan Parliament in 2012 and is the youngest person to hold the position.

Vava‘u villages receive water supply from Japan

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Three villages in Vavaʻu received new water systems from Japanese government last week.

The water supply, valued at $500,000, was handed over by Japan’s ambassador to Tonga, His Excellency, Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro.

The villages of Ha’alaufuli, Holonga and Feletoa benefits from the water projects.

Desalination units donated to Haʻapai group

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Worries over a lack of drinking water in the Haʻapai group of Tonga have been alleviated after desalination units that can convert seawater into 4000 litres of drinkable water a day arrived last week.

Donated by the New Zealand Red Cross, the portable desalination units are designed to be easily handled and monitored.

“The desalination plants pack into “suitcases” weighing 32 kilogrammes each”, it says.

The New Zealand organisation says that what the units could produce a day would provide enough water for about 300 people.

The islands experienced low rainfall over the past three months resulting in extremely low water levels.

In January category 5 Cyclone Ian hit Haʻapai islands destroying about 90 percent of the buildings and crops.

“Haʻapai is one of the most vulnerable island groups in Tonga, people are already struggling and recovering from Tropical Cyclone Ian. People need clean, safe water to maintain good health and hygiene,” says Tony Paine New Zealand Red Cross Secretary General.

Dean Manderson, an aid worker from the organisation,  arrived in Ha’apai on Saturday and is working with Tonga Red Cross Society to set up the desalination units.

About 40 women diagnosed with breast cancer

By
Kaniva Pacific
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An early detection of breast cancer improves the chances that it can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully, said Lord Tangi, a Tongan Specialist General Surgeon in Nuku’alofa today.

His words of encouragement was made during the launch of the Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Month which will be opened on October 10.

He said 30 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 while this year 12 breast cancer patients were processed.

Lord Tangi said the best thing to do is for the patients to see their doctors for an early detection of the tumour.

“ All these patients presented to us with palpable lumps of various sizes. We know that any cancer including that of the breast, the malignant changes starting at the cellular level and they multiply from there, it starts very small and by the time the lump is large and palpable, the tumor had been there for three-months even more than a year,” Lord Tangi said.

Lady Si’atukimoana Vaea was the guest of honour.

Tonga Breast Cancer Society successfully held its AGM last month with financial report presented and election of office bearers and Pink October Calendar of Events.

2014 President: Hon. Frederica Tuita Filipe,
Vice President: Tupou Fakakovikaetau,
Secretary: Filomena Liutai
Treasurer: Christine ‘Uta’atu
Committee member: Leta Kami (media)
Auditor: Aloma Johansson

Tonga marks police rememberance day

By
Malia Lesina Kelela Latu
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Tonga was one of the South Pacific nations that commemorate  Police Rememberance Day  on September 29 to remember officers who gave their lives serving the Tongan community.

Senior Constable ‘Amanaki Kisina, Inspector Latu Lavaki and Senior Constable Siaosi Tu’ivailala who passed away while on duty were honoured along with six deceased retirees.

Inspector Latu Lavaki, 51, who headed the Tonga Police Drug Squad, died from a suspected heart attack on June 13, 2014.

Senior constable Siaosi Tu’ivailala died while on duty at the Fua’amotu International Airport in July.

Families of the fallen as well as Tonga's Commissioner of Police, Grant O'Fee
Families of the deceased as well as Tonga’s Commissioner of Police, Grant O’Fee

Minister of Police Siosifa Tu’utafaiva, Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee and New Zealand High Commissioner HE Mark Tablot attended the memorial service with families of the fallen at the Tonga Police Headquaters in Longolongo.

The historical ceremony is held on September 29 every year since 1886 in Austtralia and New Zealand.

Democratic Party meets at Kolonga despite warning from Lord Nuku

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Democratic Party met with constituents of Tongtapu 10 at Kolonga despite being issued with words of prohibition notice on September 20 by the estate holder, Lord Nuku.

Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva told Dr Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, the Party’s candidate for Tongatapu 10 they would meet in Kolonga after Tuʻiʻonetoa relayed to him the message.

The meeting was held and Nuku’s prohibition notice was not enforced.

It was one of the meetings organized by the Party to hold at various constituencies to give supports for their candidates before the November general election.

In an interview with Kaniva News in Tongan, Lord Nuku said after he heard from a radio announcement that the Party has organised a meeting at his estate he contacted Tuʻiʻonetoa and told him he just wanted him to come and meet with the people of Kolonga without the Party

Asked to give the reason why he stopped the Party from meeting in his estate, Nuku said it was because he believed the Party’s agendas would divide his people.

L-R: Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and Lord Nuku
L-R: Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and Lord Nuku

He said he wanted to leave his people to decide for their own in political matters.

Asked whether he believes it was lawful and constitutional for the people to meet and discuss matters of common interest Nuku said he believes the Party should not be supported as Tongan system of government has no party system.

The minister of Police, Hon Siosifa Tuʻutafaiva said police has no power to stop any such meeting or enforce any such prohibition notice given by nobles.

Tuʻutafaiva referred to the Tongan constitution clause 8 which says that people can, “meet and consult concerning matters…provided that they meet peaceably without arms and without disorder”.

When asked what Police would do if Nuku arrived at the meeting and stop them Tuʻutafaiva said what he understood was that the owner of the place where the meeting was conducted in the village should ask the noble to leave.

He has no right to stop the meeting in his house or church building or community hall.

Kolonga was ‘Akilisi’s stronghold and he reminded people who attended the meeting that he was always voted number one in Kolonga before the vote system was changed in 2010.

He also told the audience he is Kolongan through his great grandparent, Nuku Moimoi Angahā.

The meeting was organized by one of Nuku’s uncles, Sione Finefeuiaki also known as Sione Peni.

Kolonga’s town officer was at the meeting and he was reportedly welcomed the Party.

Lord Nuku is one of the 33 nobles of the realm and he was one of the nobles that become a fierce opponent of ʻAkilisi and his colleague in Parliament.

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