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PM son praises new system for high school excellent exam improvement results

By
Kalino Latu
-

Teenagers in the kingdom have been praised for performing well in their national exams 2018.

The Ministry of Education Assessment unit said this year’s results were the highest since the new examination assessment system was adopted in 2015, Kele’a newspaper has reported.

380 students out of 489 have passed the Tonga National Form 7 exam last year.

That number is an equivalent of 78 percent which is an increase by 19 percent from 59 in 2017. In 2016 only 24 percent of the students passed the examination.

In 2017 only 256 students out of 435 have passed the exam while in 2016, a total of 646 students sat and only 158 students passed.

The Prime Minister’s son Siaosi Pōhiva has attributed the success and improvement to the new raw marks assessment system.

Siaosi was head of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s  Assessment Unit of the Education Quality and Assessment Programme.

He was instrumental in supporting Tonga’s move away from standardised marking.

Siaosi, the editor and publisher of Kele’a newspaper said the improvement in the 2018 results was an indicator predicted by the Ministry of Education since the new system came into force.

These included foreseeing that the passing and overall score rates could be improved year after year. And that the gab between the lowest and highest scores will be reduced.

Siaosi claimed the new system was introduced after principals in Tonga complaint that the passing rate of national exams results were too low.

As Kaniva reported last year, Siaosi said Fiji and Samoa in the Pacific had already changed from standardisation system and used a modern raw marks system.

He said the benefit of having the new assessment system was that it provided a “fixed standard” measure for form 5, 6 and 7.

This gave examination analysts an opportunity to determine what they can do to improve the examination results in many areas including creation and setting up of the exam papers, the Kele’a has reported in Tongan.

It said in the previous assessment system examination analysts found it difficult to report on what to be improved in the examination process because the “standard was not fixed.”

Siaosi recommended government using the new system to all school levels in Tonga including primary schools.

Critics

Last year’s results came after the marking system has been controversial since its introduction.

When Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva decided for Tonga to revert back to the Raw Marks System, it caused an uproar among educators and scholars within the Ministry of Education.

There were protest marches and letters of petition were submitted to the KIng in Privy Council and to Parliament.

Siaosi said the criticisms were invalid and did not provide any sound basis.

Tonga to join regional qualifiers in Cook Islands

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga football is expected to join the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League Qualifiers from January 26 to February 1 at the CIFA complex in Matavera, Cook Islands.

It will join the top clubs from American Samoa: Pago Youth FC, Samoa – Kiwi FC, who will travel to the Cook Islands to play the champion club Tupapa Mararenga FC, Cook Island news has reported.

Tupapa Maraerenga qualified for the prestigious tournament by winning the Vans Premiership. The premiership is the Round Cup competition that was played from August 17 through to November 24 last year. In this competition, local clubs play each other three times, and the team that finishes first on the competition table is declared the winner.

CIFA competition and club licensing manager Pauline Dean said the OFC Champions League would be held over three match days – January 26, January 29 and February 1.

Each day would feature two matches, she added.

“The first match kicks off at 2.30pm with the second match at 5.30pm and Tupapa Maraerenga FC has been scheduled to kick-off at 5.30pm on all three match days so our supporters will have time from work to attend the games,” Dean said.

Tupapa Maraerenga FC will play Samoa’s champion club Kiwi FC in their opening match followed by Tonga’s champion Lotoha’apai. In their last match, the side will take on American Samoa’s Pago Youth FC.

Dean said the home side had been training non-stop throughout the festive season and no doubt would be out to finish on top. 

“I have not received any news on the arrivals of the teams, however from past experience teams usually arrive two to three days before the kick-off of the first match,” she said.

Meanwhile CIFA officials have been preparing the pitches, the playing and training pitches, as well as the other facilities at the CIFA complex. 

“We are looking forward to hosting this tournament and would like to wish all teams the best of luck. Of course, we would like all our local supporters to come out to the CIFA complex to cheer and support the local teams and I am pretty sure the Tonga and Samoa families living on Rarotonga will be out to cheer on our visiting teams,” Dean said.

“As hosts we would love to have the support of our friends, families and fans to come out and support this tournament and our local team.”

The winner of the qualifiers will play in the OFC Champions League which will feature the top clubs from around the region, including New Zealand.

Number of people dying on Tonga roads in 2018 highest in 10 years

By
Kalino Latu
-

Twenty one people died on Tonga roads in 2018 making it the highest number it has been in 10 years.

Acting Police Chief Superintendent Tēvita Vailea said the number of deaths which occurred on our roads last year “could have been avoided”, according to a Tonga Broadcasting Commission report.

Six people died  on the roads in 2017, the lowest in 12 years.

In 2016, there were 18 deaths on Tongan roads.

Alcohol was blamed for more than 80 percent of fatal crashes in 2018.

Mr Vailea said Police believed illicit drugs were also a contributing factor but that cannot be verified due to lack of resources.

Mr Vailea warned that police would continue to be out in force focusing on excessive speeding, drink driving, and license checks during the year.

He has asked parents to sit down with their kids who travelled by vehicles on their own and have a conversation around road safety rules.

Tongan teen deported after typing ‘I have a bomb’ into Air NZ messaging app

By
Kaniva Staff
-

by Laine Moger, Stuff, Fairfax Media

An Australian teenager has been deported after typing “I have a bomb” into the Air New Zealand in-flight messaging app.

Australian citizen Meke Fifita, 19, appeared at Manukau District Court on Thursday charged with breaching the Civil Aviation Act.

He provided information to another person relating to the safety of an aircraft, knowing the information to be false, police said.

The charge was laid after emergency services scrambled to Auckland International Airport on Wednesday night due to a “threatening comment” made while the Air New Zealand A320 was taxiing to the runway.

Fifita was arrested after the plane – bound for Sydney – returned to the gate.

The court heard Fifita was travelling on his own back to Sydney from Tonga, transiting at Auckland.

He typed “I have a bomb” because “I thought it was funny”, the court heard.

​When airline staff announced there had been a security breach, he knew “immediately” that it was because of his comment.

Fifita’s lawyer, Jane Northwood, labelled the incident as the “grossly stupid event of the century” but said her client was distressed about what he had done.

“I’ve never met anyone more distressed or remorseful and overwhelmed,” she said.

She arranged for an immediate sentencing because she was “gravely concerned” for his safety being remanded in Mt Eden prison, with no family support in New Zealand.

As an Australian citizen, Fifita faced either imprisonment or a fine. 

Judge Anna Johns said she could not enforce a fine, but would consider an immediate reparation sum.

“Anyone with half a brain would understand that this is not a funny thing to do, given the times we live in,” she said in court on Thursday.

Judge Johns said Fifita’s actions came at a huge cost to the taxpayer, emergency services and Auckland Airport. 

The estimated cost could be in the tens of thousands.  

A reparation sum of $3000 was paid by Fifita’s father in Sydney.

A staffer from Immigration NZ was at the court on Thursday afternoon to arrange his flight back to Australia.

Former firefighter boss Lōfia Heimuli to get full funeral honours

By
Kalino Latu
-

Firefighters from around Tongatapu are expected to gather at the Fua’amotu International Airport this evening to welcome one of their own with full funeral honours.

Their former CEO Lōfia Heimuli died in Australia on December 27.

Tonga Fire Service & Emergency has confirmed the firefighters and staff of the Service will conduct the welcoming services at the airport.

This would include a prayer service, carrying his flag-draped casket and firing of a 21 gun salute.

The procession will be led by fire trucks and a brass band performed  by  the  firefighters.

It is understood Heimuli was holidaying in the south Pacific continent when he died.

He was expected to retire from his job in March 2019.

‘I will knock you out’: Paul Gallen takes to social media to hit out at John Hopoate

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Paul Gallen has taken to social media to hit back at controversial former NRL player John Hopoate as the pair prepare for their anticipated charity fight at Hordern Pavilion on February 8.

A video filmed by Gallen’s Sharks teammate Andrew Fifita emerged on social media on Monday in which the Cronulla captain took aim at Hopoate vowing to end his boxing career.

Gallen claims the video was sent using a private messaging service, WhatsApp, and was posted to social media by Hopoate without permission.

In the video, Fifita repeatedly screams “he’s coming for ya” while Gallen promises the fight will be “that last professional sports thing you ever do”.

He then took to his own Instagram account to blast Hopoate’s actions and reiterate his threat.

“WhatsApp groups are designed for teams or groups of people where there’s an element of trust there that you don’t share what’s put on there,” Gallen said.

“Andrew Fifita posted a video on a private WhatsApp group and Hoppa has ripped that off and posted it on social media. I think it’s pretty ordinary myself.

“I just want to remind you, Hoppa, and everyone else, that you chased this fight. You’re the one who called me a coward, you’re the one who said ‘sign the contract’ and that I’ll never fight again. Well I’ve signed it mate and I’ll be there. I promise you right now you’re not going to handle what’s coming.

“I’m really looking forward to the night and I’m training hard and I hope you are as well buddy.

“Because like I said on that video, this will be your last fight, you won’t fight again after this because I will knock you out champ.”

The two have traded barbs in the lead up to the charity fight night, with tickets to go on sale this week.

It started when the bout was announced in December, with Hopoate vowing to “bash Gal” despite the eight year break since his last professional fight.

In 2010, Hopoate (12-5, 11KO) was disqualified against Shane Cameron a year after defeating Bob Mirovic for the Australian heavyweight title.

Gallen’s last fight was in 2017 when he won a unanimous decision against debutant Puna Rasaubale. His record is 8-0 with four knock outs.

Family to farewell 16-yo- ‘Episami Pasiaka’s body today

By
Kalino Latu
-

The funeral for ‘Episami Pasiaka will be held today.

His body was recovered off a coast in West Auckland on Monday.

He was also known as Sam Leka Pasiaka.

The 16-year-old from Avondale, was earlier reported missing from Whatipu Beach on December 29, 2018

He became trapped in a rip, along with his sister, while searching for mussels. 

His body was found north of Piha beach on Monday evening, bringing an end to a 10-day search.

His death will be referred to the Coroner.

Police extend their sympathies to Episami’s family at this difficult time.

“We would also like to extend our appreciation to all those who were involved in the search for Episami,” says Inspector Gerry Whitley.

Pasiaka was a student at Avondale College and was active in various church, cultural and sports groups.

Avondale College acting principal Lyndy Watkinson said the whole school community was greatly saddened by his death, according to a report by Stuff.

“He was a well-liked, valued and respected young man, who was fully involved in the life of the college,” she said. 

“He was a successful scholar who recently achieved his NCEA Level 1 certificate with a Merit endorsement.

“We send our deepest condolences to the Pasiaka family.”

The teenager had also been a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints.

In 2017 he attended a conference run by the church for youth, and the community paid tribute to him on Facebook.

“When the news of Leka’s death was relayed to the youth yesterday, they gathered with their counsellors to remember and cherish the memories of their brother.

“We love you Leka, rest in love,” the post read.

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Body found believed to be that of missing Tongan teen

PM urges civil servants to change “mindset” to speed up reform

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva met with officials and staff of his three Ministries on Monday at the Fā’onelua Convention Centre.

 Hon. Pōhiva reiterated the importance of mindset to be  changed in order to facilitate his government reform process.

He urged his single women staff to look for a husband as a matter of priority in the new year.

He told Kaniva news previously, “Changing government is the easy part, changing mindset is the hardest.”

He believed Tonga was far way behind of other developed countries and the main reason was the speed of how the kingdom was adapting to necessary changes required to allow economic and social developments yielded successful results.

Hon Pōhiva said his government has regularly conducted cleaning up campaigns and the public were urged to keep places clean and beautiful.

“I strongy believed if things like the environment were in order it could greatly help people’s attitude and mindset changed better,” he said.

He said he was happy with what had been achieved so far in the reform process.

“I look forward to working together with all of you to implement the Government’s plans for reform in 2019. The Government had spent money on scholarships to send you overseas for tertiary education so that you can come home and carry out the work of Government. But I have found that some returning scholars are not prepared to carry out the reforms that had been set in place. For me it’s a ‘mindset’ problem and I am glad that the Public Service Commission is addressing this problem through in-house training for civil servants,” Hon Pōhiva said.

During morning tea the Hon Prime Minister also asked his staff not to believe rumours on social media that he was trying to undermine or revoke His Majesty’s Royal Prerogatives.

Hon. Pōhiva noticed there was a number of single women working in his office.

 “I have come to realize that there are a lot of well-educated but unmarried women in senior positions in the Prime Minister’s Office, PSC and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I urge you all, ‘Please look for a husband in 2019 as a matter of priority!’”

Former Police Commander Sinilau Kolokihakaufisi was at the meeting and the Prime Minister’s office said he was one of the Commissioners of the Public Service Commission.

Fiji warns ‘selfish’ countries amid Paris Agreement climate rulebook deadlock

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk

Talks to draft the Paris Agreement rulebook remained deadlocked today on traditionally tough issues.

Emerging economies – China, India, Brazil and South Africa – stood their ground on financial aid and the division of rich and poor countries.

Others vented their frustration. The UN chief flew back to Poland with a message that failure would be “immoral” and “suicidal”, Fiji’s prime minister said it would be “craven, irresponsible and selfish”, and a coalition of countries born in the Paris talks in 2015 was resurrected, with a call to arms.

READ MORE: Make the ‘clean energy’ switch, urges Fiji’s Bainimarama

Businesses are outpacing national governments in rolling out zero emission vehicles across Europe, North America and New Zealand, says The Climate Group as another five leading companies have joined its corporate leadership initiative EV100 and pledged to electrify their fleets by 2030.

A push has emerged in Poland for countries to step up their climate pledges and Megan Darby of Climate Home News interviews one of the scientists whose work made the world realise it is on the brink.

With new draft rules written by the Polish Cop24 presidency in hand by yesterday afternoon, and many issues still to be resolved, countries and groups came out swinging for their demands.

For the four Basic emerging economies – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – it’s all about differentiating their responsibilities from those of rich countries, and firming up the latter’s commitments to provide financial aid.

Commitments not fully met
“There’s a bit of concern that financial commitments, as agreed to in Paris, have not yet fully been met,” said South African tourism minister Tokozile Xasa.

“It’s quite clear, the evidence shows, that not only do we need reliability in the available finance to support of the initiatives, but that the amount allocated is hopelessly inadequate.”

On the question of how the rulebook applies to countries, the group stressed that the Paris Agreement gives developing countries more leniency as they build up abilities to, for instance, track and report emissions.

“There has to be some degree of flexible reassertion of the differentiated approach … and the allowance made for developing countries,” Xasa said.

Is also another man’s Paris Agreement. The Basic group argued that inserting “equal treatment” of developed and developing countries into the rulebook would amount to a “backslide” on the accord.

EU Climate Action Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete countered that the Paris Agreement called for a more flexible differentiation than the developed/developing line of the 1990s.

“We fully respect what we agreed in Paris, but Paris also points out … that we have to have an enhanced transparency system with built-in flexibilities,” he said.

Countries that need flexibility should get it, while their capabilities are built up, he added.

The Green Climate Fund has extended its search for a new executive director to 3 January. Climate Home News understands big hitters like Nigerian former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and UN desertification chief Monique Barbut have been encouraged to apply, but many potential candidates are deterred by the Songdo location.

Father learns three sons aren’t his after 20 years of parenting

By
Kalino Latu
-

Daily Telegraph UK, By: Jack Hardy

A search has begun for the biological father of three sons raised by a UK-based businessman who spent two decades believing they were his own.

Richard Mason, a co-founder of Moneysupermarket.com, had his world turned upside down when a doctor told him he had been infertile since birth.

It led to the horrifying realisation that Kate, his former wife, had conceived their three children with another man during their 20-year marriage.

Mrs Mason has agreed to repay £250,000 (NZD $473,500) of their £4 million divorce settlement as part of a bitter legal battle, but the identity of her lover remains shrouded in secrecy.

Now the devastated 55-year-old has made a public appeal for the man to come forward for the sake of his adult sons, revealing a few clues he believes may help identify him.

“They will want to know who their real father is, even if hopefully they will always think of me as their dad,” Mr Mason told the Mail on Sunday.

A life-altering revelation

The life-altering revelation came in 2016, when Mr Mason was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a disease that is inherited and leaves men unable to father children naturally.

Distraught and confused, the businessman confronted his ex-wife, who admitted to being unfaithful over the course of several years at the end of the 1990s.

She refused to name her lover, saying only that he was a colleague at Barclays bank whom she met whenever she visited London in her role as a union official.

Previously insignificant episodes were suddenly cast in a new light, such as Mrs Mason’s unexplained insistence that each son should have a Jewish middle name.

Mr Mason believes this detail could hint at the biological father’s true identity.

Further DNA tests confirmed his worst fears and Mr Mason began legal action against his wife to claw back money from their divorce settlement, as well as suing her for paternity fraud.

The case was settled out of court at the end of November in an outcome believed to be the first of its kind.

His sons refuse to speak to him

But the legal battle shattered his relationship with two of his sons, who he says no longer to speak to him.

“I still see what the boys are doing on Facebook and it’s heart-wrenching because we saw the graduation of the eldest on there, but I wasn’t invited,” he told the paper.

“And when friends post things on Facebook about their own families like their first grandchild or saying they’re proud of their boy for something, I just think, ‘My God, that’s all been taken away from me’.”

Mr Mason, who has since remarried and now lives in Rhos, North Wales, said he wants nothing more than to re-establish a relationship with his children.

He said: “If I could wave a magic wand, I would want to be in all their lives.”

Mrs Mason, who lives with the children in Uttoexter, Staffordshire, was unable to be reached for comment.

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