Examining the potential of open schooling to support second - chance education in Tonga

This paper briefly describes several Open Schooling (OS) models used worldwide, and some of the models used in the Pacific, followed by a brief description of an empirical research case study conducted at The University of the South Pacific (USP), Tonga Campus. The study involved analysing both qualitative and quantitative data collected from the 2012-2014 Post School Bridging Programme (PSBP) student cohorts, tutors, Tongan educational managers, USP Tonga campus administrators, and students’ parents. Constructivism Theory was used to frame the study and the Kakala Research Framework was applied as an appropriate methodology to use in the context of the study. The research findings showed that PSBP Open Schooling model was successful in Tonga. About 73% of the students who completed OS continued on to do USP certificate and degree courses. It was found that the best OS model was for the USP Tonga Campus to continue to offer the programme as an alternative to secondary schooling, and recommended that USP Tonga Campus form partnerships with some secondary schools and technical schools in Tonga. The findings also indicated that the curriculum course materials be reviewed, appropriate pedagogies (that is, both teacher-centred and pupil-centred) be employed, and a range of modes of delivery be utilised. Findings also suggested that the programme would benefit from the use of information communication and technology (ICT) for teaching and learning, and a mixture of different types of assessment (both formative and summative) would better ensure that students are learning actively. Furthermore, and importantly, financial assistance from the government is needed to review the course programmes, to provide more educational resources and equipment, to employ full-time tutors to avoid extensive staff turnover, and to implement the special training of tutors