To browse Academia. The paper explores the redefinition of spirituality within Pasifika early childhood education from a Samoan perspective, emphasizing relational and interconnected practices that transcend geographical boundaries. It investigates how reclaiming the term 'Oceania' can aid in acknowledging and revitalizing the identity and interconnectedness of Pacific peoples, particularly in educational settings across diverse contexts.
Through narrative and story-telling, the importance of these practices in shaping personal identity, culture, and educational experiences is articulated. The thematic currency of this paper is a postβcovid concern. Transforming Pacific learning, teaching and teacher education requires rethinking. This paper is premised on the ideal of educational reform focused on achieving sustainable Pacific societies.
It offers a futures-thinking approach to the rethinking of quality Pacific education centralizing the role of the teacher and teacher education. At the core of this discussion are local approaches to teaching and learning and the significance of research in understanding and improving teacher performance.
It argues that a review of teacher standards and attributes is necessary covering issues such as aptitude, literacies and competencies required for teaching in the 21 st Century Pacific.
It is postulated that education for sustainable Pacific societies must begin with an education system that brings together the best of both worlds inclusive of mainstreaming western knowledge systems and philosophies and Pacific indigenous education ideologies and approaches.
