Abstract:
The main aim of this thesis is to describe a unique educational institution, the 'Atenisi Institute of Tonga, contending that 'Atenisi
has a significant contribution to make to the debate current in education theory on what constitutes an empowering and 1iberating
education. What is particularly valuable about the 'Atenisi contribution is that it is not merely theoretical - it has been put
into practice.
While 'Atenisi has much to say about universal educational themes it is also unique in that the appropriation of traditional Tongan knowledge by commoner (subordinate) Tongans is an essential part of 'Atenisi's educational and political struggle - for the development of a critical
analysis of Tongan society and the demystication of the neo-traditional
hegemony.