Officers from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a tourism awareness program with junior secondary students (year 9) from government and faith-based schools in South Tarawa and Betio from October 8th to 21st, 2024.
This annual awareness program was conducted by the Training and Development Unit with the aim of educating students about the tourism industry in Kiribati and how tourism development contributes to the nation’s economy, environment, and social-cultural aspects.
Undertaking this program with year 9 students allows TAK to consistently create effective interactions between students and TAK officers about tourism as a topic of discussion and promote engaging interactions between TAK and the local students during the sessions. One of the St. Louis High School teachers added that this program was vital to all form 3 students since Tourism is part of their Kiribati Community Studies (KCS) and Social Science syllabus, which can help them further build their understanding of tourism and its potential. She also mentioned that since Kiribati Certify of Basic Education exams or KCBE (national exam) is approaching, it was a good opportunity for them to participate in this program, as it will allow the students to revise what their teachers had already taught them.
Seven out of eight JSS schools were visited, including Santa Maria, Ngaon Te Rabakau, JSS TUC 1, William Goward Memorial College, Animwarao JSS, St Louis High School, and BTC JSS.
TAK is grateful to the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the SIU (School Improvement Unit) and the principals of church schools for their unwavering support and continued collaboration in allowing this program to be conducted in their respective schools.
