Kiribati: Report: PART III

The EFA 2000 Assessment: Country Reports
Kiribati

PART III - Prospects

11. Policy Directions for the Future –Way Forward

Introduction

The following is a summary of some of the ways in which the Kiribati Government hopes to deliver education in the future:

11.1 Early Childhood Development

Expansion of number of center and establishment of a proper registry of all centers
Improved quality of teaching
Develop a curriculum in the vernacular
Integrate five year olds into the formal basic education system
Maintain support with resources
Future plans for ECD in Kiribati build on the strength of the UNICEF 4-Year Funded Project

11.2 Primary Education

Upgrade teachers’ qualification
Increase resource for classrooms
Complete the current revision of the primary curriculum
Develop a relevant curriculum for composite classes
Strengthen assessment procedures and teachers’ skills with those procedures
Improve school broadcasting
Encourage teachers to enroll in continuing education courses from USP or to undertake full-time study at Kiribati Teachers’ College

11.3 Learning Achievement

Improve learning outcomes by improving quality of teaching at the secondary level
Refine assessment at the secondary level by moving to competency-based assessment
Completion of the review of the secondary curriculum
Expansion of senior secondary school places by developing junior secondary schools

11.4 Adults/Literacy

Develop close links with other relevant government ministries and other non-governmental bodies to provide access to learning for adults

11.5 Education and Training for Skills

expand opportunities for post-school learners to acquire skills in trades and other areas to help with employment opportunities
expand places in the Marine Training Center and in the Fishing Training Center
diversify the courses offered by the Technical Institute
establish a College of higher education to integrate the tertiary learning opportunities into one institute
strengthen and expand in-country training schemes for sectors such as the Fire Brigade, public services (e.g. plumbing and electricity) and tourism which currently have no, or few, training opportunities

11.6 Education for Better Living

Expand access to the media for residents of outer islands
Increase health living awareness programs
Maintain programs which increase knowledge about care of the environment
Research possible new income-generating ventures
Continue support for youth programs
Strengthen programs for the development of women’s knowledge and skills to include their rights and roles n their communities
Maintain cooperation with non-governmental and voluntary groups

Conclusion:

The people and the Government of Kiribati are committed to continuing to work together to develop life which maintains the strengths of the culture while adapting modern ways of living to suit their lifestyle.

The vision is of a partnership between traditional and modern ways of doing things, using for example, today’s technology but preserving cultural knowledge and skills.

REFERENCES

Annual Reports, Ministries of Tonga and Kiribati, 1990, 1995, Nuku’alofa and Tarawa respectively.

Baba, T.L. et.al. (1992) South Pacific Education Profiles. Suva: IOE, USP

Basic Education and Life Skills (1995) Report of the evaluation Mission.UNDP,SUVA

" " " " " (1993) RAS/92/302, UNDP,SUVA

Cubey, Pamela and Koloi, Wendy (1995) A review of Early Childhood Care and Education Development in Tonga. NZODA: Tonga Education Sector MSC Project.

Development Plans 3 and 7 (Kiribati), DP 7 (Tonga), Planning Office, Tarawa and Nuku’alofa, respectively

Dow Alison; Golding, Roland and McGrath Dennis (1995) Report on the Kiribati Education Management Services Consultant (MSC): Inception Visit, August 1995. Auckland: Auckland College of Education.

Griffiths, F.D. (1992) Terminal Report: Pacific Educational Management Project, (UNDP/RAS/86/053), UNESCO office for the Pacific States, Apia.

Language and Education - English and Tongan Syllabus (1994) Ministry of Education, Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Kiribati Education Sector Review (1992) Ministry of Education, Training and Technology, Tarawa.

Pacific Islands Yearbook (17^th Edition) (1994) Suva: Fiji Times.

Singh, G. (1993) Report on the Teacher Education Programme of Tarawa Teachers’ College. Suva: IOE, USP.
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