Tag Archives: Vanuatu

Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It has a long and varied educational history that has been shaped by its colonial past as well as its position in the modern world. Prior to colonization, education in Vanuatu was largely informal and consisted of oral traditions passed down through generations. Christianity was also an important part of education with missionaries teaching basic literacy skills to children. In the late 1800s, following colonization by France and Britain, formal education began to take shape in Vanuatu. Schools were established by missionaries and French colonial administrators, while the British introduced a system of primary education based on their own model. During this period, access to education was limited due to a lack of resources and infrastructure. In 1980, Vanuatu gained independence from France and Britain which marked the beginning of a new era for education in the country. The government established a national curriculum based on international standards as well as free primary schooling for all children aged 6-14 years old. Secondary schooling was also made available at minimal cost for those who could afford it. Since gaining independence, Vanuatu has continued to invest heavily in its educational system with an emphasis on technical and vocational training as well as higher education opportunities for students from rural areas and outer islands. In recent years, there has been increased investment in digital technologies such as computer labs which are now found in most schools across the country. Overall, Vanuatu’s educational history is one that is constantly evolving; it is shaped by both external influences such as foreign aid and internal factors such as government policies which strive to make quality education accessible to all citizens regardless of location or socio-economic status. In 2009, Vanuatu was a small island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, made up of 83 islands and a population of around 250,000 people. At this time, the country had just emerged from two decades of political turmoil which saw it become an independent nation in 1980. Since gaining independence, Vanuatu had been an active member of the international community, joining various organizations such as the United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations. It was also a signatory to several international treaties and conventions including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and World Trade Organization agreements. The political landscape in Vanuatu during this period was largely dominated by two major parties; the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) and the National United Party (NUP). The UMP held power from 1991-2008 and focused on economic development while the NUP focused more on social issues such as education and health care. In 2009, Vanuatu experienced its first peaceful transition of power when Sato Kilman replaced Edward Natapei as Prime Minister with support from both major parties. This marked a new era for Vanuatu’s politics which saw increased stability and cooperation between both major parties on issues such as foreign policy, economic development, and regional security. Vanuatu also maintained strong diplomatic relations with other nations in the region during this period including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Tuvalu. These countries provided much needed aid to Vanuatu which helped to improve infrastructure and services throughout the country. Overall, 2009 marked a period of relative stability for Vanuatu’s geopolitics with both major parties working together towards common goals while maintaining strong diplomatic relations with other nations in the region. This was beneficial for the nation as it allowed for increased access to resources and services, making them more widely available and achievable for Vanuatu’s population. Check naturegnosis for Vanuatu in 2001.