10 Jun 2013

Tonga primary schools get Australian aid

1:50 pm on 10 June 2013

Tonga's primary schools will be the target of new aid from Australia, which has pledged 10 million US dollars over the next three years.

Tonga's minister of education and training, Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki, says the funding will help give children access not only to basic education but also to a learning environment that helps teachers and students to achieve strong results.

The minister for finance and national planning, Lisiate 'Aloveita 'Akolo, joined Dr Taufe'ulungaki as well as the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Brett Aldam, for the signing of the agreement.

The finance minister says it is essential that Tonga continues to upgrade the quality of education to ensure students have the skills to meet the demands of a growing and changing economy.