In 2011, the World Bank Group commenced a multiyear program designed to support countries in systematically examining and strengthening the performance of their education systems. Part of the World Bank's new Education Sector Strategy, this evidence-based initiative, called SABER (Systems...

SABER-Student Assessment is a component of the SABER program that focuses specifically on benchmarking student assessment policies and systems. The goal of SABER-Student Assessment is to promote stronger assessment systems that contribute to improvededucation quality and learning for all. Samoa...

The Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Center (PFTAC) produced 'A Public Financial Management Roadmap for Forum Island Countries' ("The Roadmap") in 2009 (PFTAC 2010). This document was adopted at the Forum Economic Ministers' Meeting (FEMM) of the Pacific Island Forum as an agreed approach...

The Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) is a temporary migration scheme between Australia and selected Pacific Island Countries. It was introduced in 2012 and covers the agriculture, accommodation and tourism sectors. Extensive efforts have been made to evaluate the economic impacts of the scheme, but...

Tonga has experienced a high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the past two decades. Data indicate the continuing rise of four major NCDs -cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer,and respiratory diseases - as the leading causes of premature death and disability. According to latest...

This document provides an overview of needs and gaps in regard to early warning and response capabilities in Tonga. It consolidates information gathered in: (i) August 2014 during an early warning system (EWS) needs assessment to inform the development of the World Bank's Pacific resilience...

This report presents the findings of the mission based on information available as on 28 January 2010. An executive summary and a summary of the indicative performance indicators are presented in section two. The country context and recent developments and reforms in the area of public financial...

Trade is widely recognized to be an engine of growth that creates jobs, reduces poverty, and increases economic opportunity. Trade facilitation measures are non-discriminatory and apply to all traders in their design; however, these measures may not necessarily impact or benefit all traders in...

This Regional Partnership Framework (RPF) outlines the World Bank Group (WBG) strategic program for nine Pacific island countries (PIC9): Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Samoa,...

Major risk factors for NCDs in Samoa include poor nutrition, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Addressing all of these risk behaviors requires multisectoral, multilevel action, including efforts to change the currently unhealthy food environment. The food...