Pacific-Asian Education: A Journal about Education in Pacific Circle Countries.

Abstract

They say it takes a village to raise a child – this special issue of Pacific Asian Education is testament to a different take on that old adage – it takes a community of scholars to complete a journal issue. This special issue had its genesis in January 2018 when, with Ralph Brown from Skillset New Zealand, I facilitated a writing retreat for academic staff from the National University of Samoa’s Faculty of Education. The workshop was hosted by the faculty’s Dean, Tofilau Dr Faguele Suaalii, the Head of School, Fuaialii Dr Tagataese Tupu Tuia and organised by various staff members. Over two days, the staff shared and refined their article ideas based on research they had completed or were intending to complete. For the rest of the year, the staff held writing support groups to encourage each other to meet the deadline for their first full draft. The drafts were sent to New Zealand where blind peer reviewers provided feedback to the authors. I later returned to Samoa to hold individual writing conferences with each set of article authors so that they could produce a stronger version for the next round where their revsions would be carefully checked. In July 2019, the authors presented their papers at a local conference, where they received further feedback from their peers and teachers and principals from local schools. Finally, the articles were honed to the point where the final acceptances could be announced. That was not the end, of course. Dr Alexis Siteine, editor of Pacific Asian Education, undertook further stylistic and formatting amendments before the articles that appear in this issue were ready to go to print. The articles went from her hands to be laid out in the journal’s format and then on to the University of Hawaii where they will be published on line and in hard copy. The articles highlight the different research interests and projects conducted by the staff at the National University of Samoa. The research the authors discuss arises from authentic challenges they face in their work at the university, in teacher professional development or education policy. How well does the university cater for first year students? How are teachers in the upgrade programme finding their experience? Why are upgrade teachers struggling with mathematics? How can food and textile technology teachers be better supported? Did the policy of extended teaching hours lead to improvements in student achievement? How well prepared are physical education teachers for the reality of the classroom? What are the strengths of a thematic approach to classroom teaching? And, what constraints do women in leadership positions face? While the questions are specific to the Samoan context, the results of the research studies and the discussion of the issues will resonate with many readers around the Pacific and further afield. I tell the story of the development of this special issue in detail because many of us who sit in well-resourced academic institutions with generous research funding, leave and publication support can be oblivious to our colleagues in less developed countries where institutions might set similar publication expectations but lack the funding or infrastructure to support staff to achieve those goals. This special issue only came to fruition because we connected with a community of scholars from across the Pacific who each in their own way generously supported the authors through the process to reach publication point. It is important to note that the choice of journal was also deliberate - not just because it focuses on content of interest to the Pacific (and Asia ) but because it has a commitment to giving voice to scholars in nations that are not always noticed on the world stage. Thank you to the many people who were part of this journey. I hope that the authors enjoy their success and that we have provided a model for others to follow. I will end with an appropriate Māori whakataukī (proverb): Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini Success is not mine alone but only comes from the support of others. ( Professor Carol Mutch, Guest editor. The University of Auckland, Dec. 2019. ).