KAREN EARNSHAW
Wearing their brown gowns and big smiles were four representatives of extraordinary Marshallese at the University of the South Pacific graduation, presided over by King Tupou VI of Tonga.
This special quartet of graduates, who are all Public School System employees, earned their Master’s in Education in School Leadership.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Natalie Nimmer highlighted this goal achieved by Syndina Jetton, Head Teacher at Ulien Elementary School in Arno; Loretta Case, Director of Teacher Standards and Licensing; Randon Adre, District Supervisor for Arno schools; and Tommy Almet, Vice Principal, Rita Elementary School.
Nimmer said “their tuition was funded through the ADB project Improving the Quality of Basic Education. The project ended in January, but they just had their graduation now.”
Many leaders attended the multinational graduation, which was held on June 10 at the Education and Cultural Center, with the Commissioner praising the set-up: “I’ve never seen the ECC so beautiful!”
The other extraordinary Marshallese who proudly graduated from the USP School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education with a Master’s Degree are Joana Anuntak Lokeijak, Ellon Edward, Wellington Johnny, Charlie Juano, Jellan Juonran, Tom Kijenmij, Valerio Langrine, Sophia Lelwoj, and Roland Robert.
This graduation also resulted in what is believed to be a first in RMI education: “As of this graduation, Laura High School is now the first high school to be led by a Marshallese principal and vice principal who both have a master’s degrees from USP,” Natalie said.
“The principal, Demetria Malachi, earned hers a couple of years ago and she served as the locally-based mentor/facilitator for this cohort of new graduates.”