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 Constitution of the Republic of Palau and the Title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation define Palau’s main education legislative framework. While both texts include the use and distinction of ‘private’, ‘parochial’ and ‘non-public’ schools, no exact definition is provided.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
Most schools at primary (seven years, beginning at age six) and secondary education (four years, beginning at age 14) are public schools – 80% and 64% respectively. Compulsory education includes primary education and secondary education (11 years) from ages six to 17.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
Pre-school care and education is mainly provided by community-based centers through a program funded by the United Stated federal grant and managed by a Non-state organization, Palau Community Action Agency.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
No information was found.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Non-public schools are educational institutions established and managed by non-state actors. Palau’s non-state education sector currently consists of church-owned schools, two in elementary schools and five in secondary education. Although there are more non-public school facilities in high school, they account for fewer enrolments than those provided by the government. According to Title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation, all non-public educational institutions receive the same privileges as public schools, such as benefits of transportation, textbooks, accident insurance, testing services, medical and nursing services, and feeding programs.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
No regulations on homeschooling were found. According to title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation, every parent or guardian must ensure all children of compulsory age attend school.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for the administration and policy direction for primary and secondary education for public and non-public schools. The 2018 Senate Bill No. 10-30, SD1, HD1 authorizes the National Framework on Early Childhood Council and enacts for the Early Childhood Council to be the regulator of Palau’s child care centers. It provides the Council with the Ministry of Health’s support the responsibility to oversee the regulations, licensing procedures, evaluating the fitness of those wishing to establish child care centers, and monitoring the centers to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Vision: The ten-year education sector plan, 2017-2027 Education Master Plan Policy, enlists Partnership Support as one of its five policy priorities. The plan includes working with families, communities, employers, NGOs, government ministries, development partners, and civil society to support students in schools and their communities.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
In the Republic of Palau, childcare centers are provided for infants (ages cero – 12 months), toddlers (ages 12 months – 36 months), and pre-school education from ages three to five (kindergarten). Pre-primary education is provided by community-based Head Start Centers funded by a U.S. Federal grant and managed by the NGO, Palau Community Action Agency, and three private church-affiliated kindergartens pre-primary education. In 2017, 80% of children attended the Palau Head Start program, and the remaining 20% attended privately operated kindergartens.
Registration and approval: According to the 2018 Senate Bill No. 10-30, SD1, HD1, for a proprietor (individuals, partnerships, limited liability corporations) to establish and operate a non-state childcare center in Palau, providers must apply for a licence. All proprietors must fulfill the pre-established requirements, including proper facilities, equipment, and employees’ qualifications. In addition, all facilities must comply with the Health and Safety measures and policies and maintain the teacher-pupil ratio based on student age. The Senate Bill No. 10-30, SD1, HD1 establishes some exceptions in which a child care center does not need to apply for a license. These exceptions include when care is provided by a relative or a cooperative of parents who rotate children’s care and who do not receive financial remuneration for the care.
Licence: Operating licences are granted for a year after which providers must re-apply for renewal following the Council’s guidelines for license renovation.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: According to the Senate Bill No. 10-30, SD1, HD1, in line with the PNC 34, all children must provide a certificate of immunization against communicable diseases to be admitted at an ECCE center.
Policies for vulnerable groups: Public Preschool Head Start Program supported by U.S. federal funds intend to give children from economically disadvantaged families a “head start” in being ready for elementary school.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: Any authorized officer may enter and inspect any center premises to ensure compliance with the Council's regulations and requisites to operate. (Senate Bill No. 10-30, SD1, HD1)
Child assessment: No information was found.
Sanctions: A center is operating without a license or non-complying with the license requirements is liable for a civil monetary fine. When a center is non-complying with the license regulations, and no improvements are made, the Ministry can suspend or revoke its license. (Senate Bill No. 10-30, SD1, HD1)
Registration and approval: To establish and manage an educational institution in Palau, proprietors (individuals or legal persons) must apply for authorization at the Ministry of Education. The Title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation dictates procedures for providers to be granted authorization, including meeting the safety, health, curriculum, teaching certification, and school premises regulations.
Licence: No information was found.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): All educational institutions must comply with the health and safety requirements established for their authorization.
Profit-making: No information was found on the legal basis of profit or profit prohibition of non-public schools.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the Constitution of the Republic of Palau the state may finance “private or parochial” schools on a fair and equitable basis for nonreligious purposes. Also, Title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation, specifies for all non-public educational institutions to receive the same privileges as public schools, such as benefits of transportation, textbooks, accident insurance, testing services, medical and nursing services, and feeding programs. Non-public schools do not pay gross revenue tax, and Church-based schools organized as NGOs are exempt from paying taxes and can request financial support from the government; the amount is based on the number of students attending the school.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All non-public educational institutions must follow the five core subjects required in the national curricula and ensure that all students are well-versed in reading and writing in English and Palauan.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: All public and private teachers in charge of teaching the core academic subjects must obtain a ministry certificate. The Minister and the Board are in charge of setting the certification minimum qualification standards and requirements. (Title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation)
Corporal punishment: The 2009 School Handbook specifies for prohibiting any type of corporal punishment in public schools and will constitute a cause for suspension or termination of employment; however, no further information was found regarding private schools.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: During COVID-19, the Ministry declared that both public and non-public schools must transfer to online learning and for students to stay at home. Whilst the pandemic the government developed the COVID-19 Education: Contingency Planning, Risk Reduction, Preparedness, and Response Framework, which included key considerations on schools response on safe school operation guidance with government and partners to ensure continuity of learning.
Fee-setting: No legislation was found regarding fee setting; however, it was noted that some non-public set two categories on entrance fee and tuition based on residents and non-resident status.
Admission selection and processes: All children applying for first grade must be six years of age before September 15. No further legislative regulations were found regarding the admission and selection process.
Policies for vulnerable groups: All students of non-public schools receive from the national government equal benefits with public school students in the areas of transportation, textbooks, accident insurance, testing services, medical and nursing services, and feeding programs. (Title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation)
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: The Education Statistics Yearbook 2017 states that all public and private schools must have in their structure a Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) to work closely with school officials and report to the association. PTSA’s hold meetings throughout each school year to ensure that students continue to meet progress.
Reporting requirements: According to title 22 of the Palau National Code of Legislation, the Minister may request non-public schools to submit reports with information regarding school attendance or any other information that the Minister considers public concern.
School inspection: No information was found.
Student assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: The authorization permit may be revoked or suspended when the non-public school fails to meet the standards required for authorization or any other law or regulation.
The Palau Community College (PCC) is established as a public, non-profit corporation, and it is the main tertiary education institution in the Republic of Palau. Palau Community College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, has a partnership for San Diego State University programs, and provides courses and certificates with approximately 20 fields of study. The College is authorized to receive tuition, fees, private gifts, donations, endowments, grants, and other monies from public or private sources. At the tertiary level, there is the Post-Graduate Scholarship Act which annually provides a percentage of the national budget for tertiary education scholarships, and the RPPL 9-22 provides tax incentives for businesses that employ PCC graduates.
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
No information was found regarding private provision on tutoring classes. However, the 2009 School Handbook sets for tutoring services to be provided in public schools available on a case basis to students who require additional support. Tutoring services are provided free in public schools, but parents must provide transportation for students to attend the tutoring session.
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
