PRIMARY

LEARNING and TEACHING – Middle and Primary Schools Division

The Primary Division is responsible for overseeing and supporting the delivery of quality education from Class 1 to Class 8 across all middle and primary schools. Its core functions include improving teaching and learning, supporting school leaders, and promoting student welfare.

The division is structured into thirteen sub-divisions:

·       Nine District-Based Divisions, aligned with the main island groups and school locations, focusing on the direct delivery of services to schools in their respective regions.

·       Four Specialized Divisions, providing targeted support in Sports, Health Promoting Schools (HPS), Soroban (Mathematics education), and Media.

·       One Administrative Division supporting planning, logistics, human resources, and operational efficiency.

In total, there are 105 schools under this division, comprising 58 Primary Schools and 47 Middle Schools, including those located in the outer islands such as Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, ʻEua, Niuatoputapu, and Niuafoʻou.

1. District-Based Divisions (9 Divisions)

These divisions align with the geographical distribution of Tonga’s school system and include the following regions:

-         Central District

-         Eastern 1 District

-         Eastern 2 District

-         Western District

-         Vavaʻu

-         Haʻapai

-         ʻEua

-         Niuatoputapu

-         Niuafoʻou

Each district division is responsible for implementing core educational services at the school level. Their responsibilities include:

       i.          Monthly school visits and observation reporting

     ii.          Performance Management System (PMS) monitoring

    iii.          Organizing subject association trainings for teachers

    iv.          Designing and coordinating common assessments (two per term)

      v.          Collecting, analyzing, and reporting student performance data

Each district ensures that policies and programs are effectively implemented in their schools while providing ongoing support to teachers and principals.

2. Specialized Divisions (4 Divisions)

These provide focused support across all districts in key functional areas:

a. Sports Division

Implements the Primary Sports Plan annually

Organizes student sports events:

Term 1: Athletics

Term 2 & 3: Ball Games

Term 4: Cultural Events

Engages with partners and donors to support sporting events and materials

b. Health Promoting Schools (HPS) Division

Monitors cleanliness, safety, and attractiveness of school environments (primary & secondary)

Oversees food quality and canteen operations to ensure students receive healthy, safe meals

c. Soroban Division

Ensures Soroban (Japanese abacus math) is taught in all government primary and middle schools from Class 3 to Class 6.

Supports teachers through training and in-class assistance.

Provides appropriate Soroban learning materials: student and teacher tools, guides, and books.

Prepares and manages Soroban assessments each term.

Organizes district and national Soroban competitions.

d. Media & IT Division

Operates the Primary Division’s radio broadcasting program delivering scheduled class lessons daily.

Provides video, audio, and photography services for events and educational content across the Ministry.

Delivers IT support to Primary Division officers and assists other Ministry divisions.

Maintains and services computers and laptops used in primary schools.

 

Together, these divisions work collaboratively to enhance education quality, teacher capacity, student well-being, and holistic development across all schools under the LTD – Primary Division.