Strengthening Pacific literacy learning and inclusion

Literacy data from our Pacific Island neighbours shows that many children in the Pacific are completing primary school without basic literacy skills. This is a major issue, as highlighted by UNICEF's Every Child Learns' Education Strategy 2019–2030, which found more non-learners are in school than out of school for the first time in history.

The growing evidence for effective reading instruction is transforming education practices around the world. An increasing number of educators across the Pacific are drawing upon this evidence to help children learn to read and write in languages they understand. These encouraging practices are leading to inclusive classrooms that are making the greatest difference for students with neurodiverse disabilities like dyslexia and autism.

This collaboration uses action research and innovative data collection methods to investigate how the science of learning is being applied to teaching and learning across the Pacific. Together with our Pacific co-researchers, we seek to identify successful practices that can be promoted across the Pacific to help address current literacy gaps

We are working alongside Pacific researchers and education leaders to investigate factors making the greatest difference to inclusive classrooms, teacher confidence and student outcomes. Our Pacific partners will guide the collection and analysis of culturally relevant data.

MDAP's expertise in data ethics, collection, analysis, communication and visualisation will contribute to the design and practical application of this research. This will provide Pacific Islander co-researchers opportunities to publish successful practices in academic journals alongside story sharing that engages and informs Pacific communities, education leaders and policy makers.

Ultimately, we aim to advance global evidence on how the science of learning can be adapted across cultures and languages to strengthen mother tongue literacy instruction, leading to more inclusive classrooms and greater learning outcomes in the Pacific.