History and social studies in Pacific island nations have been taught within the parameters of the educational systems bequeathed by the former suzerain powers, and the textbooks in use have not been written by islanders themselves. In fiscal 1995, the Fund launched a five-year project that supported the development of teaching materials by history and social studies teachers in the region and the establishment of an association of teachers in each country. The Council of Presidents of the Pacific History and Social Studies Teachers Association, a regional organization headquartered at the National University of Samoa, was formed in 1999. This paved the way for projects developed on the initiative of islanders.
Political upheaval in Fiji and the Solomon Islands in fiscal 2000, when the present project was launched, hampered activities that year. This year, however, two workshops were held: a Melanesian-region workshop in Vanuatu in October and a Polynesian-region workshop in Tonga in December. The use of museums in history education was discussed at the Vanuatu workshop, leading to compilation of Pacific History, Museums and Cultural Centres: A Guide for History Teachers.