New funding round to support Pacific learners opens

The Ministry of Education’s Pacific Education funds are now open for a second round of applications, to support Pacific learners’ education success and wellbeing during the COVID-19 era.

Round two of the Pacific Education Support Fund will ensure that Pacific learners have improved access to culturally competent support services for attendance, wellbeing, and engagement.

In addition, the Fund will support access to on-site learning services and ongoing educational and training pathways. The Fund will also be used to strengthen connections between Pacific families and places of learning.

Some 130 applications were received in the first round.

Projects funded focussed on connecting Pacific learners and families with mentors supporting their education, for example with on-site learning and accessing ongoing education and training pathways, and on growing connections between Pacific families and places of learning.

Other first round projects were tailored to the personal needs of Pacific learners – supporting attendance, wellbeing and growing meaningful relationships.

Round 2 of the Support Fund has a further $6 million available for Auckland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay–Tairāwhiti, Wellington and Canterbury and Chatham Islands. The five regions have a large proportion of the Pacific learner population.

Applications to the Pacific Education Support Fund close on 19 April 2021. 

Any questions email: pacific.supportfund@education.govt.nz  

Pacific Education Innovation Fund

Round 2 of the Innovation Fund has $6 million available to applicants.

Some $3.5m of this will support projects developing innovative practices to meet Pacific learner wellbeing and curriculum needs.

A further $2.5m is for projects specifically targeted at innovative practices in Pacific bilingual and immersion education in early learning services and schools.

Over 200 applications were received for the first round of Innovation Funding. 

Projects funded included designing programmes and initiatives that specifically responded to the learning and wellbeing needs for Pacific learners and families with a focus on language, culture, and identity.

Some applications had a coordinated approach to partnership opportunities to improve wellbeing, attendance, learning and achievement for learners and their families.

Applications to the Pacific Education Innovation fund close on 26 April 2021.

Any questions email: pacific.innovationfund@education.govt.nz  

Pacific Education funds

The Pacific Education Innovation Fund and the Pacific Education Support Fund are part of the $80.2m investment in Pacific Education through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund announced in the Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020-2030.

Information about both funds is also available in nine Pacific languages.

To find out more about both funds, the criteria and how to apply visit: Pacific Education funds