Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo says the country’s development must be measured by the opportunities and quality of life it creates for its people, with education and health at the centre of the Government’s priorities.
Delivering his 48th Independence Anniversary address, Teo said Tuvalu’s people remained its greatest resource.
“Ultimately, development is not measured only by the infrastructure we build, but by the opportunities and quality of life we create for our people,” Teo said.
“So, our greatest assets and resources must remain our people. The education and health of our people is of paramount importance.”
The Government has undertaken major classroom renovations at schools in Niutao and Nanumea and rehabilitated water storage at Motufoua Secondary School.
Teo said the policy foundation of the education system had also been strengthened through the National Curriculum Framework, Tuvalu Bilingual Language Policy and Early Childhood Development Policy.
He said 85 percent of Government-sponsored pre-service students successfully completed their studies this year.
The Government has endorsed 80 pre-service awards for 2027, including increased opportunities for teacher training and technical and vocational education.
Teo said the Government had also launched the National Youth Policy 2026–2030 and National Sport Policy 2026–2030.
Funding has been approved to upgrade the National Sports Ground and other sporting facilities.
On health, Teo said the National Health Adaptation Plan had been approved, while work was continuing to modernise public health legislation.
Health information and patient-management systems are also being strengthened.
The Tuvalu Overseas Medical Referral Scheme is being reviewed to improve its governance, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while increasing the health services that can be delivered locally.
Work is also continuing to improve health facilities on Funafuti and the outer islands.
Preparations are underway for a Child Benefit Scheme to provide additional support to families with young children.
The Government has also committed $2 million (US$1,38 million) through a loan facility at the Tuvalu Development Bank for the Rental Housing and Accommodation Scheme, aimed at easing accommodation pressures, particularly on Funafuti.
Teo said the investments reflected the importance of building Tuvalu’s human capacity.
“These investments recognise a simple truth that the future strength of Tuvalu will ultimately depend on the knowledge, skills, health and wellbeing of our people,” he said.
Teo also linked public health to waste management, saying a healthy nation must address the way waste is managed.
He said the Government was improving infrastructure and equipment for waste management operations, particularly on Fogafale.
The Teu Fogafale Strategy is being implemented alongside community and civil service cleanup campaigns to address waste and environmental pressures.
Teo urged Tuvaluans to take responsibility for keeping the country clean.
“My appeal to the nation is simple, please keep Tuvalu clean,” he said.
The Government’s education, health, housing, youth, sports and waste-management initiatives form part of its broader effort to improve living standards and strengthen Tuvalu’s capacity to meet future development challenges.
