Pacific peoples and tertiary education: issues of participation

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was, therefore, to gather qualitative information on the actual and perceived barriers to participation in tertiary education and training for Pacific peoples. The study had a particular mission to develop an understanding of the experiences and perceptions of Pacific communities, in order to inform future policies aimed at addressing barriers to Pacific people’s participation in tertiary education and training. Specific areas for the project to investigate included: • current participation patterns and steps taken in different tertiary education institutions to identify and remove barriers; • the views of Pacific peoples who have participated successfully in tertiary education, those who have participated but not completed their studies, and those who have not participated in tertiary education; and • the views of a range of Pacific community members, including the families of potential students as to why some have succeeded and the barriers to students’ participation.

The following assumptions were made in designing the research: • that ‘tertiary education’ includes universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and private training establishments (PTEs); • that Pacific peoples can enter tertiary education both as school-leavers and as mature-age adults, and that the research needs to address these groups as taking different routes with different accompanying issues; • that the term ‘Pacific peoples’ contains considerable cultural and historical diversity which will need to be addressed in appropriate ways by the researchers; and • that there are already in existence successful programmes and strategies in this area and that it is important to document and analyse these success stories as part of this project