Assistive devices without ridicule
Tawake stressed that children should be able to use assistive devices without fear of mockery. The meeting brought education systems together to review progress and plan further action. The regional taskforce guiding the work was led by education ministers from Micronesia, Niue and Solomon Islands. [1]
Gaps identified before the meeting
The earlier regional review, using information gathered in 2020–2021, identified limited domestic funding and shortages of trained staff in Micronesia. It also described weak support after young people left school and called for coordination between education, communities, businesses and civil society. [2]
Priorities endorsed later in 2025
In a February 2026 follow-up, UNICEF reported that ministers had endorsed a joint statement of priorities identified at the Pohnpei forum. Those priorities were intended to guide work through 2030, alongside teacher training, better data and stronger support for inclusive learning.