Etas Grace School has opened five new classrooms funded by the Australian Government, adding to 21 new classrooms opened at schools across Vanuatu since the beginning of 2026.

The classrooms were officially opened on Wednesday, in an initiative supported through a partnership involving the governments of Australia and New Zealand, UNICEF and Save the Children.

At the ceremony, Minister of Education Simil Johnson said the new buildings represented an investment in the future of Vanuatu’s children, although their full value may not yet be visible.

Classrooms Help Prepare Future Leaders

Minister Johnson said the classrooms would provide students with a suitable place to learn and develop the knowledge and skills they need for the future.

“Because they are training the leaders of this country, we need to make sure our schools have classrooms for students to sit and learn in.”

He said classroom infrastructure was only one part of improving education, with the quality of teaching and learning inside the classrooms also playing an important role.

Focus on Quality Teaching and Learning

Johnson said what teachers teach and share with students today provides an important foundation for children to develop their knowledge, values and abilities to face future challenges.

“What happens inside the classroom is the foundation of education. The Ministry is carrying out teaching and learning reforms to address the quality of education.’

He also assured Etas Grace School and its community that the Ministry of Education would continue working with them to improve access to quality education.

“The Ministry of Education will continue to work with you to provide access to quality education for the community in Etas.”

The opening of the five classrooms marks another step in improving school infrastructure and providing more suitable learning spaces for students across Vanuatu.