Education Overview
Pre-1857 Traditional Education
In traditional Marshallese society, the youth learned essential skills, concepts, and attitudes through direct involvement with family and community. Persons with special knowledge or skills trained selected apprentices to preserve the skills and cultural knowledge.
1857
Missionaries Arrive
The Boston Missionary Society arrived to establish church schools on 22 atolls. The missionary schools continued to exist through German and Japanese occupations of the islands until shortly before World War II.
1945 Post War Education Revival
The Boston Missionary Society arrived to establish church schools on 22 atolls. The missionary schools continued to exist through German and Japanese occupations of the islands until shortly before World War II.
1945-1950
Teacher Training Program
In September 1945, fifty prospective teachers were enrolled in a teacher training school on Majuro. This rotating training program continued until 1950 when the first commencement was held at the Marshall Islands Intermediate School (MIIS) with 12 graduates.
1947
UN Trust territory established
The Marshall Islands became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) administered by the United States Navy. In 1951, the Department of Interior assumed administrative responsibility.
1962-1965
High School education begins
The tenth grade was added to Marshall Islands Intermediate School in 1962, with another grade added each year until Marshall Islands High School graduated its first class of 13 students in 1965.
1960
Educational Expansion
Increased U.S. federal funding resulted in more schools and an influx of American contract teachers and Peace Corps Volunteer English teachers. The Marshall Islands Teacher Education Center (MARTEC) was established in 1968.
1970
Higher Education Development
The Boston Missionary Society arrived to establish church schools on 22 atolls. The missionary schools continued to exist through German and Japanese occupations of the islands until shortly before World War II.
1979
Republic founded
With the founding of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the District Education Department was replaced by the Ministry of Education, later legalized by Public Law 1991-125.
1981-1993
College Development
The College of Micronesia Cooperative Extension Program expanded to the Marshall Islands in 1981. In 1991, the college became accredited by WASC, and in 1993, the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) was established as an independent institution.
1990
Decentralization movement
Compact I brought the Community-Based Governance of Schools (CBGS) movement. Schools in Majuro, Kwajalein, and selected outer islands were decentralized to local governments who contracted with various organizations to manage them.
2000
expanding access
Even with compulsory education up to age 14, access and equity continued to improve. More public high schools opened, with secondary enrollment growing to nearly 70% of graduating 8th graders and primary enrollment reaching almost 95%.
2003
Compact II begins
Compact II As Amended began with focus on Education and Health. Infrastructure improvement was a key priority, resulting in many new schools constructed from 2004 to 2012. A universal Kindergarten program replaced Head Start.
2013
Public School System Established
Public Law 2013-23 created the autonomous Public School System (PSS), making education compulsory for children ages 5-18. The PSS serves K-12 students and is headed by a Commissioner of Education.
Recipient of the Excellence in Education Award 2022
Excellence in Education Award
Accredited by the North Central Association
Excellence in Education Award
Won Innovative Teaching Practices Prize 2021
Best Online Learning Initiative
Innovative Education for a Diverse Learning Environment
Cultural Integration
K-12 Curriculum
