Teachers’ Appreciation Day in Chuuk Date in the current year: October 11, 2024

The education system of the Federated States of Micronesia is modeled after that of the United States because Micronesia was governed by the United States as a part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands from 1945 to 1979. Micronesia’s education system comprises early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, post-secondary education (including vocational training), and non-formal education.

Public education in Micronesia is free and mandatory for all citizens between the ages of 6 and 14 (or until the completion of grade 8); secondary education (grades 9 to 12) is optional. The government provides free textbooks to all school students. The medium of instruction in Micronesian schools is English, since it is the official language in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Most Micronesian teachers get their degree from the College of Micronesia-FSM, a public community college with campuses in each of the four states. It was founded in 1963 as the Micronesian Teacher Education Center. The College of Micronesia awards associate degrees in teaching education.

To work in Micronesian public schools, a teacher should get certified according to the national teacher certification regulations. Qualification requirements for certification include an associate degree and a successful passing of the National Standardized Test for Teachers (NSTT). A teacher who has not passed the NSTT and is employed on a short-term or volunteer basis may be issued a temporary certificate.

There are additional requirements for Career and Technical Education Teachers. Special certificates are issued to early childhood care and development teachers, non-degree cultural teachers, teacher aides, school librarians, and some other categories of teachers and school staff.

The national education agency of Micronesia is the Federated States of Micronesia Department of Education, headquartered in Pohnpei State. Each of the for states – Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap – also has its own state department of education that operates public schools. The Chuuk State Department of Education operates the state’s elementary, junior high, and high schools. The Chuuk State DOE is made up of the Executive Office (consisting of director, deputy director, policy & management specialist, and executive secretary), the Administration & Personnel Division, the School Support Division, and the Research, Planning & Development Division.

To highlight the importance of teachers working in the schools of Chuuk, the state government declared the second Friday of October Teachers’ Appreciation Day. On the occasion of the holiday, the Chuuk State Department of Education holds various events to show appreciation to teachers and thank them for their hard work and dedication.