Marshallese girl, Majuro Cooperative school, Marshall Islands. 2012. Credit: World Bank / Patrick Rose

Partner since:

Total grant support: US$17,366,719

Grant eligibility:

  • Multiplier
  • Multiplier and girls' education accelerator
  • System capacity
  • System transformation

Education sector plan

Objective: Provide a workable road map toward constructing and implementing an educational system that recognizes the unique challenges and visions of the Marshallese people.

Other key documents

Coordinating agency: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, The University of the South Pacific

GPE Team lead: Daisuke Kanazawa

Transforming education in the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands school system is made up of public and private schools. The public schools system administers public schools only, but the government provides funding for private schools and oversees their operations for compliance with government requirements.

Education in the Marshall Islands is compulsory for children aged 5–18 years. Government public schools are free, while private schools charge a tuition fee.

The government has expressed a strong commitment to transforming the education sector and ensuring that the unique needs and challenges of the Marshallese people are taken into account. The 2020-2023 Education Sector Plan sets out a roadmap to achieving quality education for all, with 8 key goals:

  1. Improved early childhood education by improved coverage of early learning activities
  2. Improved learning and achievement of all elementary schools through implementation of the Improving the Quality of Basic Education (IQBE) project
  3. Improved learning and achievement of all secondary school students
  4. Improved school efficiency through quality schools
  5. Improved learning and achievement of all post-secondary students
  6. Strengthened opportunities for out-of-school youth and young adults through the National Training Council
  7. Improved governance, partnerships and synergies between the 6 key education sector organizations
  8. Gender equality and social inclusion across the education sector.

Learn more about the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF)

Result story

Planning ahead in the Marshall Islands mitigates interruptions in learning

GPE is supporting the government of the Marshall Islands to ensure the continuity of learning for all children before, during and after health-related emergencies.

Grants

(data as of August 31, 2023)

  • Type: System capacity

    Years: 2023 - 2024

    Allocation: US$670,554

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2021 - 2024

    Allocation: US$14,997,510

    Utilization: US$102,222

    Grant agent: ADB

  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2020 - 2021

    Allocation: US$389,875

    Utilization: US$389,875

    Grant agent: ADB

  • Type: COVID-19

    Years: 2020 - 2022

    Allocation: US$750,000

    Utilization: US$740,982

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Sector Plan Development

    Years: 2018 - 2020

    Allocation: US$225,237

    Utilization: US$225,237

    Grant agent: ADB

  • Type: Sector Plan Development

    Years: 2017 - 2018

    Allocation: US$195,102

    Utilization: US$195,102

    Grant agent: ADB

  • Type: Sector Plan Development

    Years: 2016 - 2017

    Allocation: US$138,441

    Utilization: US$138,441

    Grant agent: ADB

** This is a regional grant for Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.

* The program development grant is a regional grant for Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The sector plan development grant covers the Pacific region.

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