By: Philip Wing Keung Chan, Monash University, Grace Xuecong Ji, Monash University and Alexandra McCormick, The University of Sydney 

The Pacific region, spanning 17 culturally diverse and geographically dispersed nations, offers a unique context for integrating technology into education. From the mountainous terrains of Papua New Guinea to the coral atolls of Kiribati, education systems across the region are harnessing technology to improve access, equity, and quality. However, as the 2024 GEM Regional Report for the Pacific highlights, these efforts must address significant challenges, including infrastructure limitations, cultural diversity, and sustainability. 

Guided by the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), Pacific nations emphasize four key pillars for technology in education: quality and relevance; learning pathways; student outcomes and well-being; and the teaching profession. This article explores how these pillars shape the region’s approach, framed by an oceanic perspective that values collaboration, adaptability and cultural preservation. 

Quality and relevance: Anchoring education in local contexts

Education in the Pacific is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, oral histories, and communal values. These elements form the foundation of culturally relevant education, which technology can enhance when thoughtfully implemented. 

Pacific nations are leading innovative efforts to embed cultural relevance in digital education. Samoa, for example, has digitized traditional knowledge through storytelling platforms and talanoa (inclusive dialogue). Similarly, Australia’s Digital Creative Storytelling initiative collaborates with Aboriginal elders to preserve and share Indigenous narratives, demonstrating how technology can bridge traditional wisdom and modern engagement strategies. 

However, achieving cultural relevance through technology requires a localized approach. The region’s diversity necessitates curricula and resources that reflect distinct languages, traditions and histories. Balancing global digital tools with local contexts is key to ensuring technology serves as an enabler rather than an imposition. 

The challenge is also one of definition: What does cultural relevance mean for Pacific nations? It encompasses not only preserving traditions but fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness that empower learners to navigate global opportunities without losing their roots. 

Learning pathways: Bridging the digital divide

The Pacific’s vast geography, characterized by thousands of islands and remote villages, creates unique logistical challenges for education delivery. Technology offers a pathway to bridge these gaps, enabling flexible learning models that reach even the most isolated students. 

Samoa’s education radio broadcasting system, active since the 1940s, illustrates how traditional technologies can support modern educational needs. Similarly, Fiji has provided offline content packages to students with limited internet access, ensuring continuity of education during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Australia offers a contrasting example, demonstrating the potential of robust infrastructure to transform education. The government’s funding of the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre, designed to improve telecommunications across the Pacific, highlights the value of regional collaboration in enhancing access to technology. 

However, the digital divide remains a persistent challenge. Many Pacific nations face high connectivity costs, unreliable internet and limited access to devices. Innovative solutions like Papua New Guinea’s use of satellite internet and mobile-first learning demonstrate how localized approaches can address these barriers. Regional institutions like the University of the South Pacific (USP) further contribute through multimodal delivery models, combining online, blended, and print-based learning to create inclusive pathways. 

Student outcomes and well-being: Balancing progress and challenges

Technology’s potential to improve student outcomes is evident in initiatives across the Pacific. Australia’s use of the ABRACADABRA reading tool has helped contribute to improving learning outcomes for Indigenous students, while blended learning in Fiji has enabled students in remote areas to continue their education. 

However, the rise of digital technology also brings challenges. In Australia, studies show that 42% of adolescents spend over four hours daily on social media, raising concerns about the impact of screen time on mental health. Pacific governments are beginning to respond with policies to promote balanced technology use, such as New South Wales’ mobile phone ban in public schools. 

Equity remains a critical issue. Access to technology is uneven across the region, particularly for students from low-income families or remote areas. Fiji’s efforts to provide affordable devices offer an example of how these challenges can be addressed. Additionally, assistive technologies like speech-to-text tools and subtitles for video content are essential for supporting students with disabilities, as seen in Papua New Guinea’s adaptation of educational materials. 

Beyond academic outcomes, technology must also support students’ overall well-being. This includes fostering digital literacy, ensuring online safety, and addressing the socio-emotional challenges that come with increased screen time. 

Teaching profession: Empowering educators as digital navigators

Teachers are at the heart of educational transformation, yet many in the Pacific lack the training and resources needed to integrate technology effectively. A UNESCO survey found that 77% of Pacific teachers do not have access to basic digital devices, highlighting the urgency of investment in teacher support. 

Several nations are addressing this gap through innovative programs. In Samoa, teacher trainees are required to complete a computing paper, ensuring they are prepared to navigate the digital age. Fiji, Marshall Islands and Australia have implemented ICT competency standards, providing educators with the skills to integrate technology into their teaching. Marshall islands’ Comprehensive Technology Plan sets up standards for advanced competencies, ensuring teachers can utilise innovation to aid student education. 

Professional development for teachers is also critical. This includes training in both technical skills and pedagogical strategies. USP’s teacher training initiatives, which focus on multimodal delivery methods, offer scalable models for professional development. 

Equally important is addressing the challenges of cyberbullying and online safety. Collaborative programs like the Pacific Regional Development Program provide valuable resources and expertise to support educators in this journey. 

Sustainability and inclusivity: Charting a long-term vision

Sustainability is a pressing concern for technology in Pacific education. Many initiatives rely on donor funding, raising questions about their long-term viability. To create self-sustaining systems, countries must invest in infrastructure, foster partnerships with the private sector, and engage local communities in the process. 

Inclusivity is equally critical. Technology has the potential to bridge gaps for marginalized learners, but only if it is designed with equity in mind. Mobile-first platforms and satellite internet can extend education to remote communities, while assistive technologies ensure that students with disabilities are not left behind. 

Cultural relevance is another cornerstone of sustainable education. Digitizing traditional knowledge, developing curricula in local languages, and aligning technology with Indigenous values are essential steps. Samoa’s partnerships with telecommunication companies during the pandemic, which provided internet credits for students and teachers, demonstrate how context-sensitive solutions can support inclusive education. 

Lessons from the Ocean

The Pacific Ocean, a vast and interconnected expanse, serves as a metaphor for the region’s approach to technology in education. Just as Pacific navigators have long charted their courses across these waters, today’s educators and policymakers must navigate the complexities of digital transformation with foresight, adaptability and a commitment to equity. 

Technology in education is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is a tool that must align with the values, needs, and aspirations of Pacific communities. By prioritizing localized strategies, investing in teacher empowerment, and fostering collaboration, the Pacific can create an education system that is not only technologically advanced but also deeply rooted in its cultural identity. 

The journey is ongoing, but the Pacific’s experiences offer valuable lessons for the world: that education, like the ocean, is vast, interconnected, and full of possibilities – if navigated with care.