Title: Open and flexible learning for whom? : rethinking distance education

Abstract: Distance education is put under the microscope in this first two article. Thaman examines how it has affected equity and access in the University of the South Pacific region and, while acknowledging the well-known arguments for distance education, she urges Pacific Island educators to resist the lure of standardised, homogenised, packaged education, dominated by foreign educational philosophies. Instead, distance education offered by USP should be culturally inclusive, so that it serves to develop, rather than marginalise, Pacific cultures.

Title: Practices and problems in communication - the accountant and the distance educator

Abstract: In this article, the roles of the distance educator and the accountant are compared in terms of how they communicate with their clients. The authors argue that the distance educator could benefit by using a conceptual framework, something which accountants use to structure communication through published financial reports. Similarly, accountants could take a leaf from the distance educator’s book and, instead of confining themselves to the print medium, use a range of media options to communicate financial reports to advantage.

Title: Partnership in an aid project : is it a teacher-learner relationship?

Abstract: The relationship between donor consultants and local counterparts in an aid project has come under a lot of criticism, but the official records on which the research has so far been based do not include the perceptions of the individuals involved. The authors report on a study that investigated the extent to which the participants in an aid project in Solomon Islands perceived themselves as teachers and learners. The results might surprise the critics, as they show that, far from the consultants seeing themselves as experts, in this case they considered themselves learners throughout the project.

Title: Education and indigenous Fijians : challenges, the year 2000 and beyond

Abstract: Over the four decades or so since the 1969 Education Commission, Fijian education has become a major issue, not only amongst Fijians but also in the nation as a whole. The need to address issues pertaining to the education of Fijians cannot be overemphasised. Baba (1983) points out that peaceful coexistence of all races in Fiji, as well as national development, depends on how this significant issue is addressed by the government of the day and other stakeholders. Indeed, the extent to which Fijians are educated may determine how well they can exist in a modern economy. Education is now widely acknowledged by Fijians as the vehicle to modernity. The performance of Fijians in public examinations has been adversely compared to the performance of Indo-Fijians and other ethnic groups. There is an obvious need to scrutinise the reasons for this. Also, the nature of external examinations needs scrutiny. A brief discussion of both is provided in the paper.

Title: Why non-formal education in Fiji?

Abstract: This article examines the emergence of Non Formal Education (NFE) in Fiji, its current provision and the potential for school-based programmes. This requires an examination of the various learning systems and, in particular, the development of the formal education system, how it has acquired its high status and value in Fiji, and the inherent problems which have emerged. This article also provides a background discussion of the pre-colonial to postindependence education and the limitations of the formal schooling system.

Title: Book review of Examination systems in small states : comparative perspectives on policies, models and operations

Abstract: All Pacific Island countries are relatively small, and there are small states in many other parts of the world. The authors of the book that Tavola reviews examine the positive and negative aspects of how small states operate their school examination systems, and the pros and cons of having national, as opposed to regional and international systems. The book is very relevant to the Pacific and will interest all those involved in examinations: students, teachers and planners.