kiribati

Kiribati (population: 117,606 in 2019) has a primary net enrolment rate of 94.7% (2017)¹, a secondary net enrolment rate of 69.1% (2005)¹ and a gross enrolment rate of 86.9% (2008)¹. The youth unemployment rates (15-24 years old) is 54% (2010)². The Kiribati Institute of Technology offers courses in technical and business education, and teacher education is offered by Kiribati Teachers College. Kiribati is member of the regional University of the South Pacific (USP), which supports public efforts to increase access to affordable and relevant tertiary educational services within the region.  

Internet connectivity is available to 15% (2017)³ of the population, and mobile-cellular subscriptions are at 47 per 100 people (2019)³. Infrastructure is available for distance and technology-enabled learning and for expanding access to education and training in Kiribati. The Kiribati National ICT Policy 2019 lays out plans to develop teacher skills and eLearning applications as well as to introduce comprehensive ICT instruction throughout the school curricula. Kiribati’s Education Sector Strategic Plan 2016–2019 includes embedding ICT into curriculum and school operations, developing and training teachers in ICT technology, and providing secondary schools with relevant ICT equipment and technology. For more information, read COL Country Report: Kiribati 2015-2021. 

1. UNESCO Institute for Statistics Data Centre, retrieved in June 2021
2. ILO. 2017. Improving Labour Market Outcomes in the Pacific: Policy Challenges and Priorities, pp. 40
3. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Eye Country profile, retrieved in March 2020