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 2013 Education Act does not include a definition for a non-state educational institution. However, according to the repealed 1977 Education Ordinance, a "non-government" school is defined as a "school other than a government school".
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Kiribati, most schools at primary (six years, beginning at age six) and junior secondary level (three years, beginning at age 12) are public schools. Senior secondary education (four years, beginning at age 15) is mainly provided by non-state schools that are subsidised by the state. Education is free and compulsory for nine years, covering children aged 6-15.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are established and managed by non-state actors, and mostly operate at early childhood and senior secondary level. According to the 2016 Educational Statistic Digest, non-state provision is provided by denominational schools at junior and senior secondary level.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Private schools established by non-governmental organisations can be subsidised by the state through grants for operational costs and teacher salaries.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
No information on homeschooling was found in the law. However, according to the 2013 Education Act, parents or legal representatives can request a certificate of exemption for their child to not attend institutionalised compulsory education.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for the governance of primary and secondary education through the Director-General of Education, who is responsible for the operation of all schools in Kiribati. The 2017 Early Childhood Care and Education Act established an advisory council on ECCE. The Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development is responsible for the governance of post-secondary education, except for the Kiribati Teachers College which is under the responsibility of the MoE.
Vision: Non-state actors (including international governments, international organisations, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations) are mostly engaged as development partners in Kiribati.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), which covers children aged 3-6, is provided exclusively by non-state providers, including churches and other community groups through day care facilities and preschool centres. Preschools include Island Council preschools, Church and faith-based preschools, Community preschools, and Privately-owned preschools. The 2017 Early Childhood Care and Education Act regulates the provision of all ECCE providers in Kiribati.
Registration and approval: To establish a daycare or preschool service, provides must apply for approval from the Director of the Ministry responsible for early childhood care and education in accordance with the 2017 Early Childhood Care and Education Act. All proprietors (individual or body corporate) must include information on their staff qualifications, premises, and equipment in their application, and comply with the established child-teacher ratios. All applications must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
Licence: Once the Director is satisfied that all the minimum requirements are met, a permit is granted for three years. Conditional approval may be granted subject to conditions that the applicant must comply with before operating the ECCE service. Any service provider which operates without approval is liable to a monetary fine or imprisonment. The Ministry is required to keep a register of all the approved ECCE providers and premises in Kiribati.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All ECCE providers must ensure that their educational programs comply with the Early Childhood Care and Education Act, 2020 Registration and Administration of Service Providers, Teachers and Premises Regulations, and Kiribati Quality Standards on curriculum and learning opportunities.
Teaching profession: All teachers must comply with the minimum standard qualifications to work at a preschool or daycare facility. They must additionally be registered and approved by the Director and possess a certificate in basic first aid skills.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: All ECCE facilities must keep records on their operation and disclose them for inspection when required.
Policies for vulnerable groups: According to the 2017 Early Childhood Care and Education Act, all ECCE facilities must provide equal service to every child that has enrolled or attends the service.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: ECCE inspectors may enter and inspect the premises of an ECCE centre to assess whether the minimum standards are being met.
Child assessment: According to the Early Childhood Care and Education Act and 2020 Registration and Administration of Service Providers, Teachers and Premises Regulations, ECCE services must ensure that all child developmental needs and progress is being documented.
Sanctions: If an ECCE facility is found to be operating without approval or compliance with the required standards, the Director may order the suspension or revocation of its permit.
Registration and approval: All schools in Kiribati must be registered and approved by the state. According to the 2013 Education Act, providers must apply to the Minister and comply with the prescribed conditions for approval and registration.
Licence: Upon fulfilment of the minimum requirements, the Minister issues providers a certificate of registration.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): All schools must comply with the prescribed health and safety standards and ensure that the school environment is clean, well maintained, and safe, with the adequate sanitary facilities for staff and students.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All schools must comply with the National Curriculum and the Assessment Framework.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: All teachers must apply to the Teacher Registration Committee for approval to work at a school in accordance with the 2020 Teacher Registration Regulations. The Director of Education must keep a register of all teachers.
Corporal punishment: Corporal punishment is prohibited under all circumstances in Kiribati. Any staff member who administers corporal punishment to a student is liable to a monetary fine or imprisonment.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: If there is an immediate risk to the school's health or safety or students, the school principal has the authority to close the school temporarily. The Education Sector Contingency Plan for COVID-19 in Kiribati aims to develop a system of learning continuity and strengthen the resilience of the education system against future emergencies.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: All students must pass a student examination to access senior secondary education.
Policies for vulnerable groups: The state can assist students with tuition fees or book allowances if they have passed the national examination and attend a senior secondary school in Kiribati.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: According to the 2013 Education Act, a school may establish a school committee comprising of the representatives of teachers, students, parents, the broader school community, and any other persons prescribed by regulations.
Reporting requirements: The Minister sets the national standards for school assessment and reporting. All state and non-state schools are required to submit the School Survey Form on an annual basis, which includes information on funding, school structure, infrastructure, and teaching staff.
School inspection: According to the 2013 Education Act, the Minister may appoint government officers to enter and inspect school premises to ensure their compliance with the registration requirements.
Student assessment: All students in grade ninth must sit for national examinations to progress into senior secondary education and senior secondary examinations to access further education. The Standardised Tests in Achievement in Kiribati (STAKI) are conducted every two years for students in years four and six.
Diplomas and degrees: According to the 2013 Education Act, the Minister may establish criteria for awarding a certificate to students upon completion of their education.
Sanctions: If a school fails to comply with the registration conditions, it is placed on a probation period for no more than two years, during which it is required to address and remedy any identified deficiencies. If the school fails to address the deficiencies or requirements for registration, the Minister may cancel the school's registration. A person who operates a school without registration is liable to a monetary fine.
Post-secondary education is available through various technical and vocational education and training (TVET) administered by various ministries. Tertiary education is provided by overseas higher education institutions such as the University of South Pacific (USP), the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC), or other regional and international universities.
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
