First “Microsoft Office Specialist” Certification Featured
The first “Microsoft Office Specialist” certified students at Liahona High School: Kukuna ‘Ahome‘e, Sēmisi Fifita, Vutulongo Huhane, Fe‘ofani Huni, Cindy ‘Iongi (missing), ‘Iunisi Kata, Siosiua Lātū, Faka‘ānaua Moala, Moonlight Muti, Lesieli Paletu‘a, Sione Pasikala, Zhaidellynn Tafea, Robin H. Tafengatoto, Tuasivivalu Vaitaki, Diana Fie‘eiki. (Niuvākai Photo: SAMokofisi)
First “Microsoft Office Specialist” Certification
Liahona High School
Written by Sione A. Mokofisi
(Editor – Niuvākai)
FUALU, TONGATAPU: Fifteen students at Liahona High School (LHS) graduated last week from the first “Microsoft Office Specialist” (MOS) IC2 course administered by the school’s computer division.
Folau Kioa, assistant director (AD) of LDS Church Schools in the South Pacific confirmed the course success rate came from Form 6 and Form 7 enrollees.
“This is a positive sign, and a successful indication of how timely our computer program is gaining popularity in our school,” Mr. Kioa explained to the Niuvākai. “The course is open to students of Forms 4 through Form 7 to signup and study for it.”
Beaming proudly with smiles at their certification presentation, 14 students (one student missing) and their four (4) computer instructors displayed their MOS Certificates. The MOS instructors are Meliame S. Fiefia; Denise ‘A. Kakau; Kalolaine P. Nuku; James R. Lui.
The MOS Course
The MOS course is the first-level requirement to master the popular Microsoft Office System: Access, Excel, Word Document, Powerpoint, Sharepoint, One Note, and Outlook (e-mailing).
AD Kioa and LHS Principal Fatafehi Fifita confirmed over 1,100 students have signed up for the MOS course. The 15 certified IC2 students are the first group to pass the computerized course by their computer instructors, according to the schedule and skill levels they’ve mastered.
The credential proves the individual’s mastery of the “functionality of the Microsoft Office system, resulting in increased academic and job performance, individual differentiation and personal confidence.” The course outline states.
AD Kioa and Principal Fifita confirmed there are seven (7) computer laboratories at LHS. The heavy enrollment in the MOS course keeps the laboratories busy, and the future of computer-based learning is taking off at the LDS-sponsored institution.
The Next Level: IC3
The next level for the 15 MOS graduates is the “Internet and Computing Core Certification” (IC3) specialization course. The instructions are on “basic instructions in computers, operating systems (OS), and functions of word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Web-browser applications,” listed in the course description.
“At this level, the course will be offered on Saturdays,” AD Kioa says.
When asked about the instructors’ qualifications, Kioa confirmed they are required to have a bachelor’s degree in education, mathematics, science, or even in the humanities.
“We are ready to add more instructors to administer the computer program in the future,” AD Kioa says. The four trainers currently are Microsoft (MS) specialist qualified; they’ve been through MS training, and are certified instructors.
The specialist training is a crucial link between the MS marketing of their Office System bundle. One of the most popular software programs in the world, MS must provide certified training to facilitate user-friendly services to MS Office System customers.
Business use of the MS Office System is the world’s choice for clerical, financial, training, and corporate presentations. Specialists are highly in demand by large corporations to train workers who are unfamiliar with the MS Office System.
Compulsory Computer-based learning
AD Kioa reveals LDS School System’s adaptation of compulsory computer-based learning in Liahona, beginning with the 2016 school year. “The Church is determined to bring computer-based education to Tonga,” he adds, and when asked how Tonga stands in the LDS School System’s pecking-order, and level of computer proficiency…
“Tonga is way up there near the top in our school system.” Kioa says. “Computers are a priority to us.”
How about transfer students coming from other high schools, and even the LDS schools that do not have computer-based learning? AD Kioa says, “…those students will be way behind the current crops of students we now have enrolled in the course.”
“Our program will go wherever there is Internet access available,” he adds.
Does that mean Tonga’s expensive and slow access to the Internet is hampering computer-based programs that are ready to be implemented?
“Of course,” AD Kioa replies.
Because Internet access holds the key to all business and education advancements anymore, would having free Internet unlock opportunities for our young generations?
“Absolutely, yes! We will expand our computer-based learning to all the islands whenever Internet access becomes available,” Kioa says.
3 comments
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Just Googled and Facebook-ed Microsoft Office Specialist to check out if this article was legitimate and found that apparently MOS is in fact global. High schools and institutions all over the world are getting on board MOS as a means to enhance student / people's skills in Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word document, Excel, Access, etc.). Not bad. The certificates in this article look very much the same as the ones found from all over the world, so even more legitimacy granted there. The Microsoft company is currently worth over $290 billion US dollars, whilst its owner, Bill Gates has a current net worth of about $79.3 billion dollars. Having just found that out, I'm sure the certification of trainers and learners towards certification has its set protocol, so as to prohibit infringement. I also doubt the Board of Education for the education system in question would risk legal liabilities if their claimed certificates / certifications were false.
IC3 - Internet and Computing Core Certification is synonymous with Certiport (a Pearson Vue Business). I remember some of the tech guys at USP Tonga Campus and TTI mentioning the name 'Certiport', so it's cool to know that these opportunities are available right here in Tonga.
Digital Literacy is very much needed in a world where technology is evolving continually and thus shrinking our globe by dissolving geographical borders. Malo 'eni I know how to GOOGLE to look up stuff and explore.
My brief exploration to know more about the MOS and IC3 programs is leading me to believe that in order for an organization to form a partnership with these two companies (Microsoft and Certiport) the licensing and testing costs must be a lot. So no matter what field you are in or targeting to be in, digital literacy is a driving factor for success... so good for this school! any school willing to "invest" in its students' futures creating more opportunities no matter the costs, seems like a good thing. -
Great little article!.... It's good to read something positive happening here in the islands with our younger generation. That is great for the 15 young kids to have such an awesome opportunity during HIGH SCHOOL... hopefully more will follow. MOS is recognized all over the world! I also love the picture of the students with the Liahona tower in the background. BEAUTIFUL!
However, the first comment is partially true - especially for those that are interested in venturing into Programming, etc... keep it up... but like that first comment said - Math & Science are also major necessities! Oh, but please don't follow that person's horrible English skills. So make sure to go to English class... so that people will actually take you seriously when you present yourself in public. -
I am wondering that who certified these instructors as a specialist in Microsoft or where did they got there 'microsoft specialist certificate'. Now adays, anyone can be a specialist on anything they want to do, but there differences come from who certified them or where did they got their sources of training for being a specialist. That could help us know the quality and skills they obtained.
As he saying that "...those students will be way behind their current students....." Let me ask this question; how many students that graduate from LHS have become a computer programmer? None that I know. How many ex-students from LHS have become a software developer, internet engineering or satellite engineering etc? Only a few or none. Most of them are base on software or using a already develop software. In the other hand, Tonga HIgh schools and TOnga College are two schools that I know that many of their ex-students have becomes a computer programmer, satellites and internet engineering etc. Not only in Tonga but also in overseas. What I am trying to say here is that, it doesnt matter how early or late of your learning these basic computer microsoft program (word, excel, publisher, etc) you can still easily pick them up along your way and master them in a short time, the hard things that every computer students are struggle with are mathematics and science. These two subjects are the pulling factors for becoming a programmer or satellite engineering or specialist in computer etc. As a result Tonga High School and Atele are pushing on those two subjects with some basic training on using computer in microsoft and internet. As they go for advance, they are using there skills in science and mathematics for learning computer.