NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The 2011 Education Act, which covers early childhood care and education and primary and secondary education, uses the term “non-government entities” who must work collaboratively with the Government, parents, teachers, the private sector and school communities to achieve the best educational outcomes for children. It also defines the term “(registered) non-government school” as a facility, other than a government school, for teaching school-age children during school hours. No definition of non-state actors in education was found at the tertiary education level.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
Education is free compulsory to Year 10 or age 15 years 9 months. Primary (age six to 11) and secondary (age 12 to 17) education are therefore compulsory. In 2017, primary education was provided by four public primary schools (80% of the primary schools were private). Nauru had also two secondary schools, one of which was public, the Nauru Secondary School. Public schools are state-run and state-funded. Education in government schools must be non-sectarian and secular. The exact number of pupils attending public schools was not found.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
Education is free for children aged 6 to 15 and no information was found on the fees to be paid by parents in public schools. The Department of Education receives direct funding assistance for the Australia Department of Education and Training (DoET) through an operational account to implement it education strategy in public schools. In addition, each year the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) offers Australia Award scholarships to Australian tertiary institutions and around 10 Australia Award Pacific Scholarships to Pacific regional institutions at technical, undergraduate and graduate levels. The four modalities used by DFAT include Direct Funding Agreement (DFA), infrastructure, technical assistance and scholarships.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
No information was found.
Low-cost private schools have not been identified in the country.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
In 2017, Nauru had only one non-government primary and secondary school named Kayser College. This school is run and funded by the government but owned by a Roman Catholic organization. It serves students from kindergarten to grade 9, after which students transfer to the public sector to complete their education.
All schools are publicly funded by the Ministry of Education. Kayser College derives 80% of its funding from the Department of Education; funding includes direct payments to schools and teachers' salaries, among others.
Contracted, non-state schools
Kayser College is contracted.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
The 2011 Education Act (Art. 97) states that a parent may apply to the Secretary to register the child for home education. Registration is for a period of not longer than two years (Art. 98). The Secretary may instruct an authorised person to inspect any educational programmes, materials or other records proposed to be used for the home education. It can also cancel the registration if the parent has contravened a condition of the registration. The parent must give the Secretary a report about the educational progress of the child once each year.
Market-contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
Non-government schools must be registered under the 2011 Education Act. The operator, proprietor and principal of a non-government school commit an offence if the school is not registered; the penalty ranges from $5000 for operators to $2000 for owners and principals.
The Department of Education does not seem to have a specific structure on non-state education or a Religious ministry separate from the Department of Education that makes decisions on non-state education.
Vision: The goals of the Department of Education are outlined under the 2005-25 National Sustainable Development Strategy, which refers mostly to different partnerships between government, civil society, the private sector and the donor community. The 2011 Education Act (Part 10) focuses on non-government schools. The last 2008-13 Education and Training Strategic Plan does not cover private education directly. The 2008-15 National Youth Policy stated that effective policy implementation requires stronger partnerships between the Directorate, civil society, the private sector and other government agencies. It indicated that skills development opportunities in the private, NGO and government sectors would be utilised.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
No information was found on the number of children in private childcare facilities before entering kindergarten. The 2011 Education Act includes pre-schooling.
Registration and approval: The 2016 Child Protection and Welfare Act identifies standards to be met by all approved foster carers, which include the provision of education and training appropriate to the age and abilities of the child. In addition, materials relating to schooling, physical and mental stimulation, recreation and general living must be adequate. In this Act, service providers’ mean “any private company or organisation providing service and care to children in Nauru”. Part 4 of the Act deals with the approval of carers. Applicants must provide information on their criminal record and that of their household members. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: The 2016 Child Protection and Welfare Act 2016 (Art. 38) states that the Minister shall issue certificates of approval for approved foster carers or kinship carers. A person may hold more than one certificate. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: See Multi-level regulations.
Teaching profession: See Multi-level regulations.
Fee-setting: See Multi-level regulations.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
Inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Child assessment: See Multi-level regulations.
Sanctions: Concerning care education, licences may be suspended or cancelled if the holder of the certificate or a member of the holder’s household is not a suitable person to be an approved foster carer or to associate daily with children (Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2016, Art. 46). For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): Principals of all schools, including non-government schools must ensure that the school environment is clean, safe and secure and that the school has an “adequate supply of clean running water during school hours and sufficient toilet and bathroom facilities for students” (Education Act, 2011, Art. 26). The 2012 National WASH Policy stipulates that there is a need for improved school curricula at all levels on WASH issues.
Profit-making: No information was found. The only non-government primary and secondary school, Kayser College, is run and funded by the government but owned by a Roman Catholic organization and is not for profit.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: See Multi-level regulations.
Textbooks and learning materials: The term “curriculum” (see above) includes the support material and other learning resources used to deliver the courses (Education Act, 2011).
Teaching profession: See Multi-level regulations.
Corporal punishment: Corporal punishment is prohibited in all schools, including non-government schools. The penalty is $500 (Education Act, 2011, Art. 37).
Other safety measures and COVID-19: The COVID-19 Development Response Plan does not focus explicitly on the non-state provision in education.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Fee-setting: See Multi-level regulations.
Policies for vulnerable groups: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: Community members and parents are represented on Education and Training Committees and Parents and Community Associations.
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
School inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Student assessment: See Multi-level regulations.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
The Nauru Campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP) (public) is the only institution at this level. It provides tutorials and face-to-face courses in accounting, management, education (primary and early childhood), English and library and informational studies. Students seeking higher education often go to Australia.
The country adopted the 1986 Higher Education Act; it has since been repealed. Private tertiary education institutions were established under the permission or charter of the Minister. An order creating the institution was established by the Minister. No similar new regulations seem to be in force in the country.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section presents the regulations for early childhood care and education and primary and secondary education. The 2011 Education Act uses the term “primary education” to refer to education provided at pre-school to grade 6.
Registration and approval: A person may apply to the Minister for registration of a non-government school at least six months before the start of the school year. The application must include: the arrangements for the governance and administration of the school, the location of the school and the facilities to be provided (the Act does not directly address the required infrastructure and the required size of establishments); the name and qualifications of the principal and a statement to comply with the conditions of registration; the minimum number of students; a plan that demonstrates the financial viability of the school; and the methods to monitor educational outcomes (Education Act, 2011, Art. 80). The 2012 Education Regulations SL No. 2 defines the fees for a new application ($250), a renewal application ($200) and a registration ($400 per school year for each year level for which the school is applying to be registered to teach). The proprietor of a registered non-government school may apply to the Secretary for renewal of the school’s registration at least three months before the expiry of the school’s current registration.
Licence: If the Minister is satisfied that the proposed school meets the criteria for registration, it may grant registration to the school for up to two years. Article 88 adds that the Secretary must also issue a certificate of registration to the proprietor of a registered non-government school (Education Act, 2011, Art. 82).
Taxes and subsidies: The Government may provide funding to a non-government school, but the Government must not provide funding to registered non-government schools “to an extent that would compromise its ability to provide quality education for school-age children at a government school” (Education Act, 2011, Art. 92).
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: The 2011 Education Act requires non-government schools to adhere to the approved curriculum. The Minister must approve the curriculum for each year level for all schools, including non-government schools. The principal must also ensure that the approved curriculum for each grade taught in the school is followed (Art. 22).
Education in government schools must be non-sectarian and secular. However, religious education may be provided in government schools for no more than one hour each week, by authorised representatives of different religious denominations. In contrast, registered non-government schools are not constrained by this one-hour-per-week limit on religious education or the requirement that education is secular.
Teaching profession: All teachers in Nauru must be registered with a recognised Diploma or Bachelor qualification. Tertiary education is also being provided to teachers through Divine Word University (Papua New Guinea) which offers courses that can be done partly by distance learning and partly through face-to-face teaching done during visits to Nauru by academics from the University. In addition, some teachers are being funded by the government to pursue teaching qualifications at Goroka University in Papua New Guinea.
A non-government school must not employ a person to teach at a school unless the person employed or engaged is a registered teacher; has a limited authority (people who may be authorised to teach a particular trade skill for example); or is under the direct personal supervision of a teacher with full registration. The Teacher Registration and Curriculum Board maintains a teacher register (Education Act, 2011, Art. 50). No information on salaries was found.
The regulations on non-state education do not explicitly state whether teachers in private schools are covered by the same provisions as those in the public service.
Fee-setting: Fees are charged for education in non-government schools; however, the total amount of the fees is not specified.
Policies for vulnerable groups: The Education Department endeavours to assist students and families who face financial hardship through the provision of uniforms and books. The government also subsidises food for primary schools.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: Non-government schools must report to the Secretary at the end of each half of each school year. The report shall include details of learning outcomes for students, the financial situation of the school and any written complaints received by the school and the way the complaints were handled and resolved (Education Act, 2011, Art. 90).
Inspection: The proprietor and principal of non-government schools must cooperate fully with a school inspection (Education Act, 2011, Art. 83). The Secretary must arrange for an assessment of the non-government school to be carried out at least once during each period of the school’s registration (Art. 91). In addition, a school inspector may enter all schools, including non-government schools, at any time to inspect the school or anything in it, including the school’s records of enrolment and attendance (Art. 34). If an inspector knows or suspects that a provision has been contravened, the inspector must notify the Minister.
Assessment: The application for the school registration must include the methods to monitor educational outcomes (Education Act, 2011, Art. 80).
Sanctions on school closure: The Minister may amalgamate a government school with a non-government school in respect of which registration has expired or been cancelled (Education Act, 2011, Art. 74). The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Secretary, cancel the registration of a non-government school if the Minister is satisfied that a condition of registration has been contravened or that it is in the interests of the pupils to do so. Before cancelling the registration, the Minister must give the proprietor a written notice (Art. 87). Finally, principals of all schools, including non-government schools, must establish procedures for reporting at least twice a year to the parents about the student’s academic progress and social development at the school (Art. 38).
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The principal of a non-government school must not allow extra-curricular teaching or activities “to interfere with the teaching of the full approved curricula” (Education Act, 2011, Art. 38).
