The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) today marked Kindy Day 2025 with a strong call for community-wide support in giving children the best possible start in life. This year’s celebration was themed “Quality Teaching and Learning at Home and in the Classroom: Giving the Child a Bright Future.”
At the heart of the occasion is the Parent Support Program (PSP) – MoET’s flagship early childhood initiative designed to empower parents and caregivers as key contributors to their children’s development. Since its launch in 2017, the PSP has made a transformative impact on early learning outcomes across the country.
Developed in partnership with the Australian Government, UNICEF, Save the Children, and local education stakeholders, the PSP offers workshops on key topics such as brain development, play-based learning, nutrition, positive discipline, storytelling, and hygiene.
Mrs Serah Vurobaravu Liki, National Early Childhood Care and Education Coordinator, emphasized the long-term value of supporting parents:
“When we support parents to understand that learning begins at home, we lay the foundation for lifelong success. The PSP has reached nearly 10,000 parents across the country, many of whom are now more engaged in their children’s learning and wellbeing.”
To date, the program has delivered 521 workshops, reaching more than 9,900 parents and caregivers across all six provinces. Provinces such as Sanma and Penama have recorded high levels of participation, contributing to improved school attendance, healthier home environments, and more confident learners.
The PSP is now being integrated into teacher development programs, with early childhood and Year 1 teachers receiving ongoing support from provincial coordinators and local task forces through home visits and feedback-based sessions.
Parent Mr Danny Vakessa shared his experience:
“After the PSP sessions, I started reading to my children every night and changed how I discipline them. I now understand that small changes at home can make a big difference.”
Despite challenges such as limited male participation and accessibility in remote areas, interest in the program is rising, with some communities and churches now requesting workshops independently, demonstrating the initiative’s growing cultural relevance.
Mrs Nanise Lapi, MoET’s Director of Education Services, stressed the importance of collective effort:
“Let us recognise that learning begins long before the classroom. Every parent and caregiver has the power to shape a child’s future. Our RID. TOKTOK. PLEPLEI. GRO campaign highlights the need to strengthen family support to give every child in Vanuatu a brighter future.”
In line with the National Sustainable Development Plan 2016–2030 and the UN 2030 Agenda, MoET is working with communities, educators, and partners to create an inclusive, high-quality education system for all children.
As part of today’s celebration, several kindergartens from across Port Vila – both English and French streams – gathered at Independence Park to mark the occasion with performances, displays, and shared learning activities, reflecting the united commitment to early childhood education.
