FSM National Department of Education

Grateful and inspired! 🙏

A big thank you to Michael Noa for the excellent training workshop for our principals and team. Your insights and guidance were truly valuable and empowering for all of us.

We also sincerely appreciate the support and opportunity through SMIS. This training has strengthened our commitment to improving our work and continuing to grow together as a team.

Thank you for investing in our development! 🌟

Today, our students stepped into leadership roles across our schools serving as leaders, teachers, principals, and school staff for the day!

Meet our Secretary of FSM Department of Education for the day, Mr. Wilburt Rahul Kilmete, from Pohnpei Catholic School.

Student Takeover Day empowers our young leaders to build confidence, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of how our schools operate. It is inspiring to see our students demonstrate creativity, leadership, and commitment to their education.

The FSM Department of Education is proud to support opportunities that strengthen student voice and prepare our future leaders for success.

👏 Kalahngan and thank you to all participating schools, teachers, and students for making this day meaningful and memorable!

The FSM National Department of Education is seeking a consultant to support the review and update of the Teacher Certification Policy and the National Standardized Test for Teachers (NSTT). This 7-month project (starting March 2, 2026) focuses on strengthening teacher certification standards across FSM, including ECE, CTE, cultural, and general education teachers. The consultancy is valued at USD $50,000, with proposals due by February 11, 2026

To commemorate International Day of Education 2026 🎓, the Federated States of Micronesia delivered a keynote address during the joint ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology and UNICEF global webinar on the transformative impact of assistive technology on education.

The 2026 global observance highlighted the role of youth as co-creators of education systems, a message that aligns closely with FSM’s experience. Meaningful participation in education depends on whether learners can see, hear, move, and communicate effectively in the classroom.

The webinar highlighted the key messages of the policy brief “Access to Assistive Technology in Education Systems”, underscoring that inclusive education requires not only policy commitments, but practical access to the tools that support learning.

FSM shared experience from the Unlock Healthy Learning program, supported by ATscale, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by UNICEF. The program strengthens collaboration between education and health systems to support early identification and access to assistive technology for learners.

Webinar on Strengthening assistive technology ecosystems for inclusive education Access to the right assistive technology plays a crucial role in improving access to education and learning for children and learners with functional limitat...

Calling all students, teachers, and schools 📚🎨
This exciting State-Level Essay & Art Contest is your chance to showcase creativity, critical thinking, and national pride — with a path to the National Stage 🇫🇲

🖊️ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS – ESSAY CONTEST
Theme: Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action
✔️ English language
✔️ Up to 4,000 characters
✔️ Include: Name, Age, Grade, School
🏆 Cash prizes to be won!

🎨 ELEMENTARY STUDENTS – ART CONTEST
Theme: Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action
✔️ A3 paper only
✔️ Drawing, Painting, or Mixed Media
✔️ Materials allowed: pencil, crayon, colored pencil, watercolor, oil pastel
🚫 No digital art
✔️ One original artwork per student

🖌️ BIG OPPORTUNITY:
The winning artwork becomes the NATIONAL LOGO for World Coconut Day! 🌍🥥
🎁 Winners receive school supplies

📌 Write on the BACK of artwork:
Name | Age/Grade | School/State | Title of Artwork

🏫 Teachers & Schools:
Your role is vital! States will:
✔️ Assign a State Focal Person
✔️ Promote contest guidelines
✔️ Conduct State-level screening
✔️ Submit the Top 3 Essays & Top 3 Artworks to FSM R&D
📅 Submission deadline: March 13, 2026
📢 Winners announced: March 21, 2026

📧 Submissions must include a cover letter addressed to
Secretary Elina Akinaga, FSM R&D

✨ Let’s inspire our students.
✨ Let creativity lead.
✨ Let the coconut tell our story.

👉 Teachers, encourage your students.
👉 Students, start creating TODAY! 🌴🎨✍️

Supporting the return of the Head Start early childhood program to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands—helping design culturally grounded, inclusive education services and guide successful grant applications for 2026.

Head Start TOR

This assignment is for a consultant to support the re-establishment of the U.S. Head Start early childhood education program in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), following renewed eligibility under the 2023 Compact of Free Association and planned implementation in FY2026.

The consultant will provide technical assistance to national and state education authorities to understand Head Start standards, design culturally appropriate and inclusive program models, identify potential grantee organizations, and develop and submit successful Head Start grant applications. The work emphasizes equity, inclusion, family engagement, and high-quality, context-appropriate early childhood services.

Key tasks include conducting desk reviews of existing ECE systems and past Head Start experience, synthesizing findings, preparing inception reports, developing comprehensive Head Start implementation strategies for each country, and supporting the full grant application process through approval. The consultant will work closely with FSM and RMI education agencies under UNICEF guidance, with opportunities for cross-country learning.

The consultancy requires strong expertise in Head Start or early childhood education (minimum 8 years), experience in Pacific or similar contexts, and strong analytical, facilitation, and writing skills. The assignment can be largely remote, with some travel to FSM and RMI, and is paid on a deliverables-based lump sum budget.

FSM Expands Teacher Certification Pathways Through COMFSM Coursework

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has taken significant steps to strengthen teacher
preparation and expand pathways to national certification. Through recent resolutions passed
by the FSM Association of Chief State School Officers (FACSSO), teachers who have not passed
the National Standardized Teacher Test (NSTT) may now fulfill certification requirements by
successfully completing designated College of Micronesia–FSM (COMFSM) courses with a
minimum grade of C or 70%.
These actions reflect a coordinated national effort to align teacher preparation programs with
certification standards, reduce barriers for aspiring educators, and ensure that all teachers
meet competency expectations in core subject areas.

Meeting NSTT Requirements Through Coursework

FACSSO Resolution FR 2301 (April 2023) recognizes the following COMFSM courses and
programs as meeting NSTT requirements in Science, Math, and Teacher Competency:

- SC/ED 210 – Science for Teachers
- MS/ED 210 – Math for Teachers
- ThirdYear Certificate of Achievement in Teacher Preparation – Elementary

Students earning a C or higher in these courses are now considered to have met the NSTT
requirements in these areas. This policy applies retroactively to Fall 2019.

In June 2024, FACSSO adopted Resolution FR 2404, extending this approach to the English
Language Arts component of the NSTT. Under this resolution, students who complete:

- EN/ED 210 – English Language Arts for Teachers

with a C or higher will be recognized as having met the NSTT English Language Arts
requirement, effective Fall 2024.

Strengthening Early Childhood Education

FACSSO Resolution FR 2403 supports the development of a Child Development Associate (CDA)
Certificate and an Associate of Arts in PreTeacher Preparation – Early Childhood Education at
COMFSM. These programs respond to national priorities, including compulsory early childhood

education and FSM’s eligibility for the U.S. Head Start Program under the 2023 Compact of Free
Association Amendments Act.

A National Commitment to Teacher Quality

These resolutions demonstrate the FSM’s commitment to strengthening the education
workforce by aligning teacher preparation, certification, and national standards. By recognizing
COMFSM coursework as equivalent to NSTT competencies, the FSM is creating more accessible
and supportive pathways for teachers while maintaining high expectations for classroom
readiness.

For more information, please contact:
FSM National Department of Education
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (691) 320-2609/2647
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sv-WNFrmJg1dNdtAXstp3BQ92rOnPZ5f/view?usp=drive_link, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iW_sfoEoNaZx4ZkZWvCooaiJpq69sdwJ/view?usp=drive_link, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JQRQAAvn8PX-33Gk4ENxCt-SkeRdUkzf/view?usp=drive_link

November 4-6: Assistant Secretary Mendiola, Alternate Board member for the Asia Pacific Constituency, and Assistant Secretary Keller, FSM's GPE focal point and Technical Advisor, attended the annual Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Board Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

The FSM education sector has benefited from multiple rounds of financial assistance from GPE over the last decade, including:

-GPE Accelerated Funds: Used in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with procurement and installation of WASH tanks & drums, satellite systems, laptops and communication equipment for remote and outer islands schools in all FSM states.

-System Capacity Grant: Supported the development of the FSM Education Strategic Plan for 2025-2030.

-Education Sector Program Implementation Grant: Funded Early Childhood Education (ECE) classroom renovations, development of an ECE curriculum framework, and ECE teacher trainings.

-System Transformation Grant: Funding advancing the development and strengthening of indigenous traditional knowledge programs in FSM school curriculum.

Thank you to our partners at GPE for the continued support of FSM education and for this opportunity to gather!

Today, the FSM National Department of Education and the Improving the Quality of Basic Education (IQBE) project won 1st place at the 11th ADB International Education and Skills Forum photo contest in Manila! Congratulations to our award-winning photographer, Marlin Lee Ling of Island SikNature, for his outstanding work.

This year’s contest, themed “Faces of Learning in Action,” featured submissions from ADB country teams across the globe showcasing learning and skills development.

FSM’s winning photo highlights students in Pohnpei reconnecting with indigenous knowledge and strengthening foundational math skills through the practice of weaving.

We are honored for the IQBE project to be recognized and grateful for the opportunity to share FSM’s traditions on a global stage. Special thanks to Secretary of Education Hon. Gardenia Aisek for representing FSM at the Forum, Canita Rilometo Nakamura and Joyminda George for their leadership of the Parents as Partners program in Pohnpei and Kosrae, and to the principal, parents and students of Mand Elementary School. This work is made possible through the continued support of the Asian Development Bank and the Australian Government.

Highlights from the FSM Principal’s Academy 📸

Earlier this month, principals and education leaders from across all four states came together for the first-ever FSM Principal’s Academy — three days of connection, collaboration, learning, and inspiration.

From leadership workshops to cultural presentations to shared laughter and reflection, these photos capture the spirit of the gathering: principals supporting principals, learning from one another, and building a shared vision for stronger schools and brighter student outcomes.

A big thank you to everyone who attended — and to IQBE with donor support from Asian Development Bank and Australian Embassy, Federated States of Micronesia for making this event possible. 🙌