Students at the International School Suva (ISS) learn about the ocean from the moment they step through the school gates. Under the leadership of the Whole School Ocean Coordinator Hannah Nanovu, the school is not just teaching about the ocean but creating the ocean advocates of tomorrow. Nanovu has been instrumental in shaping the program’s vision and ensuring that students connect with the ocean on a deeper, personal level. “I was really lucky to step into the role as Whole School Ocean Coordinator last year,” says Nanovu, reflecting on her first year leading the program. “At the same time, we were allocated the space in the school, which we’ve called the Ocean Learning Centre. We came up with a guiding statement to help grow our program even more.” The mission of ISS’s Oceans Program is simple but profound; to make students ocean literate so they can be effective advocates for the ocean. By integrating traditional knowledge and scientific understanding, the program provides students with a holistic view of the ocean’s importance, helping them grasp local and global perspectives. This focus is even more critical given escalating ocean crises wrought by climate change and pollution. With the ocean in a fragile state, students must understand the human impact on marine environments. “Our program is built around the Ocean Literacy Framework and the UN Ocean Decade Challenges,” Nanovu explains. “It provides a structured approach to understanding and addressing marine issues. We strive to bring learning to life through field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on experiences so that students can foster a deep connection to the ocean.” One key aspect of the program is ensuring that students are competent and safe in the water. This includes various water-based activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling, which give students direct experience of the ocean’s wonders. “It’s important that they experience that firsthand because, through those activities, they develop a real appreciation for nature and the ocean. With snorkelling especially, they get to see the animals and the reef. It helps them understand the ocean and all the life it supports. “We built the program slowly year by year, making it bigger,” Nanovu explains. “It started in the primary school, where every year level has six units of inquiry. One of those is focused on the ocean. Each class spends six to eight weeks focusing on the ocean, developing a deeper understanding with each passing year.” An ocean curriculum for all Pacific children While the program is well established at the well-resourced private school, Nanovu has a passionate desire to see the ocean curriculum grow beyond ISS. “It’s a dream of mine to support and assist with implementing this program in other schools, not just in Fiji but across the Pacific,” she shared with tears in her eyes. “Islanders are already connected to the ocean in more ways than I ever have been. It’s part of who you are. But we need to build up the knowledge of the human impact and how our actions, whether we’re in the highlands or on the coast, affect the ocean.” She encourages education ministries to integrate ocean literacy across the curriculum, in maths, literacy and science “rather than it being a standalone topic to ensure its relevance and accessibility in Pacific Island schools.” Her passion for the cause is visceral. “This knowledge is something that will benefit every child in the Pacific, as they are the future policymakers and scientists.” One initiative towards this goal is the ‘Veivueti Ocean Conference’, which Nanovu helped establish last year. The conference provides a platform for students to engage with the United Nations Ocean Decade Challenges, research how these challenges relate to Fiji, and take meaningful action. “We invited schools to participate and challenged them to pick a UN Ocean Decade Challenge, research it, and then presented their findings and actions during World Ocean Day celebrations. It was a great way to plant the ocean literacy seed within local schools, and we had a fantastic turnout.” The conference also featured expert-led workshops, offering students the chance to learn from professionals in the field. “We had coral gardeners, NGOs like Ika Bula and GIZ, and ocean experts who ran mini workshops. The students loved it, and we’re hosting it again this year.” Nanovu believes every Pacific Island school should have an ocean curriculum “to make their students ocean literate and help them understand what the ocean does for us. It’s not just about the science; it’s about fostering a deep, lasting connection with the ocean. I believe it’s truly a right for every child in the Pacific.”