Education for the Future: Pedagogical Approaches in the Asia-Pacific Region - Case-study: Fiji

This study was commissioned by UNESCO Bangkok as a country case study for the research initiative “Education for the Future: What Pedagogical Approaches in the Asia-Pacific Context?” The purpose of this research was to find out about predominant pedagogical approaches adhered to in Fiji. It also aimed to uncover innovative pedagogical approaches to inform future educational practices and to enable the formulation of policy recommendations for changing learning requirements in Fiji. The research sample included thirty teachers from three select primary schools, fifty teachers from five select secondary schools, ten Teacher Educators and ten Ministry of Education Officials from a range of divisions within the Ministry. Data gathering instruments used include document and policy analysis, the administration of a questionnaire, classroom observations and Talanoa. Talanoa is a popular Pacific research method that is used in qualitative research. Comprising informal communication conducted on a one-on-one basis or in small managed groups, Talanoa offers the opportunity to gain insight into personal narratives. Analysis of data included the application of the Hycner Explication Process (1999) which enables a thorough meaning making process of narratives. Numeric data was tabulated and graphically represented where relevant. Major findings indicate that there are common understandings of the educational context and needs in Fiji. Across the three samples - Ministry of Education Officials, Teacher Educators and Teachers – there is consensus that education needs to keep abreast of the changing learning needs and contexts. Participants shared the belief that the post-2015 Fijian will need to acquire a broad set of attributes, values, knowledge and skills in order to participate fully in society