Title: Advancing inclusive education in the Pacific

Abstract: Chapter 2 of Pacific Education Series Book 6: Inclusive education in the Pacific, edited by Priscilla Puamau and Frances Pene. In this chapter, the author provides an overview of inclusive education (IE) as it appears in the Forum Basic Education Plan (FBEAP), in the benchmarks of the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) and in education strategic plans. She also discusses some IE sub-projects supported by the PRIDE Project. This is followed by a description of the regional workshop on inclusive education held in Fiji in 2007.

Title: Teacher education at the crossroads which path should we take?

Abstract: Chapter 1 of Pacific Education Series Book 3: Pacific voices: Teacher education on the move, edited by Priscilla Puamau. In this chapter, the author briefly discusses ten issues and challenges facing teacher education in the Pacific. The ideas are culled from her cumulative experience of over two decades of working in teacher education and in education in general in the Pacific region. The important question to ask is: Which path should Pacific countries take in their quest to have the best of both worlds? On the one hand is offered the possibility of an educational system and teacher education models that are solidly grounded and rooted in best traditional or indigenous cultural practices and epistemologies. On the other hand are ranged the best of the offerings of the west and the global world. Or perhaps, rather than 'either . . . or', we need to strive for some kind of blending or grafting of the best that each has to offer, to produce a system uniquely crafted to our particular needs and situations. In this way, and perhaps only in this way, can we make our education systems our own.

Title: The big picture international perspectives on education for planners

Abstract: Chapter 1 of Pacific Education Series Book 1: Educational Planning in the Pacific: principles and guidelines, edited by Priscilla Puamau and G.R. (Bob) Teasdale. This chapter seeks to reconceptualise the planning and implementation of education in the Pacific by reviewing how people are thinking about education globally. What are the new ideas, the new trends, and how are they changing the ways that schooling is taking place in our global world? What are the implications of these different ways of thinking for the planning and reform of education in the Pacific? And for the work of the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) Project?

Title: Educational planning in the Pacific a way forward

Abstract: Chapter 9 of Pacific Education Series Book 1: Educational Planning in the Pacific: principles and guidelines, edited by Priscilla Puamau and G.R. (Bob) Teasdale. As critical friend of the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of Basic Education (PRIDE) regional workshop on educational planning held in 2004 in Fiji, the author discusses some of the important issues that arose in the course of the workshop and suggests that research into leadership, administration, organisations and planning will help in making decisions for the future.

Title: The way forward for ECCE in Pacific Island countries

Abstract: Chapter 11 of Pacific Education Series Book 5: Early childhood care and education in the Pacific, edited by Priscilla Puamau and Frances Pene. As critical friend to the regional workshop on ECCE co-organised by the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) Project and held in Solomon Islands in 2007, the author critically discusses the presentations at the workshop and puts forward her own ideas about strategies for future action.

Title: The education and care of 0 - 8 year-olds building strong foundations for the future

Abstract: Chapter 2 of Pacific Education Series Book 5: Early childhood care and education in the Pacific, edited by Priscilla Puamau and Frances Pene. The author describes the background to the regional workshop on ECCE co-organised by the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) Project and held in Solomon Islands in 2007. The theme of the workshop was 'Supporting learning from 0-8, creating the future'. Attending the workshop were 42 participants, representing government policy makers and NGOs engaged in ECCE in all the Forum countries except Palau.

Title: Eutia moa mai nanoa: navigating currents of literacy and numeracy in the Pacific

Abstract: This article is based on Chapter 13 of Pacific Education Series Book 4: The basics of learning; literacy and numeracy in the Pacific, edited by Priscilla Puamau and Frances Pene. The author was critical friend at the regional workshop co-organised by Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) held in Tonga in 2006. It was attended by senior curriculum and teacher professional development officers in the fields of literacy and mathematics at the primary level from 15 Pacific countries. In this chapter, the author discusses their presentations and the issues that were discussed at the workshop.

Title: The introduction to Pacific education series book 1 educational planning in the Pacific: principles and guidelines

Abstract: This introduction gives background information about the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) Project and the regional workshop on educational planning that was held in September 2004 in Fiji.

Title: A literate and numerate society introduction

Abstract: The introduction to Pacific Education Series Book 4: The basics of learning; literacy and numeracy in the Pacific, edited by Priscilla Puamau and Frances Pene. In this introduction to the book, the author discusses what the terms literacy and numeracy mean today, and describes the background to the Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of Basic Education (PRIDE) Project and the regional workshop on literacy and numeracy that was held in Tonga in May, 2006.

Title: Principles and processes of educational planning in the Pacific

Abstract: Chapter 3 of Pacific Education Series Book 1: Educational Planning in the Pacific: principles and guidelines, edited by Priscilla Puamau and G.R. (Bob) Teasdale. This chapter provides an analysis of the educational principles and processes articulated by the 31 key educational planners and data managers who attended the first Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) regional workshop on educational planning held on 2004 in Fiji. Strongly embedded in the PRIDE Project is the notion of ownership, with the conviction that Ministers for Education and the people of their countries ought to decide for themselves what their priorities and key educational activities should be. The 'workshop' concept demonstrated the confidence PRIDE has in the deep insights and vast experience that the participants brought to the workshop. In fact, the workshop privileged their voices by hearing and recording their 'inside' expertise, knowledge and values, so that a Pacific body of knowledge and wisdom could be developed on educational strategic planning.

Title: Educational planning

Abstract: This volume of Directions: Journal of Educational Studies brings to readers the strategic plans for education of four small islands states in the Pacific.Niue, Nauru, Tokelau and Tuvalu.and an introductory chapter by Dr Helen Tavola, Social Policy Advisor for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). The Forum Basic Education Action Plan (FBEAP, now the Pacific Education Framework, PEDF) is a regional plan for education and the Pacific Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) Project is the main vehicle of implementation of FBEAP. Assisting counties with education planning has been a key part of the work of PRIDE. Dr Tavola.s chapter elaborates on the development of FBEAP and PRIDE and highlights the role education strategic plans play in strengthening the capacity of each Ministry of Education to plan and deliver quality basic education. The chapter focuses on the unique challenges faced by small island states in addressing the capacity constraints in implementing the FBEAP/PEDF and their national educations strategic plans. The editors are very grateful to the Directors of Education in Nauru, Niue, Tokelau and Tuvalu for permission to print their plans in this volume.