17 Jul 2013

NZDF infrastructure work in Kiribati to bolster education system

5:08 am on 17 July 2013

Improvements to the Kiribati Teachers College, as part of this years Pacific Partnership mission, are expected to allow more teachers from the outer-islands to receive training.

The Pacific Partnership undertakes regular missions in the Pacific and Asia area to build up understanding, and national capacities to deal with natural disaster.

The US, Australian and New Zealand partnership is currently in Kiribati, working on strengthening infrastructure.

Major Alistair Mitchell from the New Zealand Army says renovation of two extra classrooms for a secondary school will allow the school to deliver more lessons.

They are also working on renovating the dormitories and eating area at the Kiribati Teachers College.

"And that will enable the teachers college to be able to bring teachers in from the outer-islands in order to deliver programmes that will increase the knowledge and ability of the teachers that are then in turn providing the education systems in Kiribati."

Major Alistair Mitchell says they are also teaching communities health skills, like learning CPR.