The following report has been drafted by Broken Chalk as a stakeholder contribution to the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review [UPR] for the Marshall Islands. Broken Chalk’s main objective is to combat educational human rights violations, and the contents of this report and its recommendations will primarily focus on the Right to Education.
The Marshall Islands have a 6-2-4 schooling system, which is compulsory for the first 8 years and is generally completed by the age of 14. i Education is free until secondary Education, and English is the language of instruction. ii
Over the past four years, the government of Marshall has advanced various reforms to improve education quality. The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Training drafted a new educational sector plan for 2021-2023. This report addresses the primary challenges in the education of the Marshall Islands, including improving schools, promoting inclusivity and equality, and enhancing collaboration among educational institutions. iii
The new educational sector plan has adopted several noteworthy projects. The Marshall Islands have chosen to enhance the institutional capacity of early childhood education. To achieve this, the Ministry has evaluated the current capacity of institutions and reinforced existing structures by developing regulatory frameworks, new curricula, and training programs. iv
In addition, the Ministry of Education has strengthened the quality of teachers in primary education, established a multi-track education system to improve chances of entry into college programs, and some learning achievements have been enhanced, as shown bythe MISAT tests (a national test verifying the proficiency of Marshallese students in various subjects). There has been an increase in performance for primary students from 26% in 2013 to 29% in 2023, while secondary students have had lower performances from 17 % in 2013 to 14 % in 2024.v The government also incorporated gender equality and social inclusion into the educational decision-making agenda. vi
While acknowledging these efforts, Broken Chalk deems that the Marshall Islands still face various educational challenges. The most prominent issues concern the impact of climate change on education, the challenges of children with disabilitiesvii, and labour mobility for teachers. viii
Despite new reform initiatives, the Marshall Islands ranks the lowest among the Pacific States regarding climate action and protection.ix Persistent challenges include a high prevalence of diabetes and deafness among children x, which underscores the need for new tailored policy plans. One of the most alarming trends is related to labour mobility, as teachers face difficulties commuting across the country due to its unique geographical configuration. This results in a shortage of available teachers and the presence of micro-classes. xi
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50th_Session_UN-UPR_MarshallIslandsReferences
i Scholaro Database, ”Education System in Marshall Islands”, accessed 11 February 2025, https://www.scholaro.com/db/countries/marshall-islands/education-system
ii AACRAO, ” Marshall Islands”, accessed 11 February 2025, https://www.aacrao.org/edge/country/marshall-islands#:~:text=Education,least%2012%20years%20of%20education.
iii Minister of Education, Sports and Training, Education Sector Plan Republic of the Marshall Islands, 2023, 1.
iv ibid.
v Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Education, MIEMIS: Education Statistics, 2023,1.
vi ibid.
vii United Nations General Assembly, Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Compilation on the Marshall Islands, 2020; United States Department of States, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Marshall Islands, 2022
viii UNICEF, Country Office Annual Report 2023, Pacific Islands, 2023,1.
ix Plan International, The 2022 Asia-Pacific Girls Report: Their Fight for the Future, Plan International Asia Pacific, 2022.
xi Minister of Education, Education Sector Plan.
Featured Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash
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