Figure 1.--This is an image of primary school on Fanning Island (Kiribati). The pupils wear a school uniform of blue trousers and white "T"-shirt with bare feet. Out of school because of the heat many of the boys take off their shirts. |
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Kiribati was a British colony know as the Gilbert Islands. British Captain Thomas Gilbert sighted the islands (1788). The Japanese seized the Islands after Pearl Harbor and the Islands were the scene of a savage battle when the United States launched the Central Pacific campaign in the Gilberts. The caranage at Tarawa shocked Americans. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands gained self-rule (1971). They separated and were granted internal self-government (1975). Ellice Islands became the independent nation of Tuvalu (1978) The Gilbert Islands became independent as Kiribati (1979). The indigenous Gilbertese language name for the Gilbert Islands proper is 'Tungaru'. The new island state chose the name 'Kiribati'--the Gilbertese pronunciation of "Gilberts" to acknowledge the inclusion of Banaba, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands, which were never considered part of the Gilberts chain. British settlers began arriving (1830s). The first schools were mission schools. Primary education is free and compulsory for the first 6 years. The Government is extendng this to 9 years. The mission schools are being integrated into the government primary school system. There are now primary schools on all gthe major islands/atols. This includes Tarawa, a tiny atol where the American Marines began the Central Pacific campaign of the Pacific War. It was one of the bloodiest fights the Marines waged. Today it is a peaceful place with a small population. Some students are seeking higher education, especially in technical, teacher or marine training. Many students have gone to Fiji for university-level training. As the small Pacific island states do not have the resources to support separate universities, a South Pacific university has been established in Fiji. The the University of the South Pacific opened in Suva (1968). Students not only come from Fiji, but other Pacific island states like Kiribati. Students interested in medical training have gone to Cuba which offers free medical schooling.
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