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The regulatory framework in the FSM consists almost entirely of the provisions of the FSM Code. Education falls under the policy by FSMC Title 40-Education. This policy provides authority to the Secretary of the Department of Education to manage all aspects of education across the FSM. The Secretary of the Department of Education also consults with each island’s State Departments of Education leader. All children are required to attend school until the 8^th standard.

While no specific policy was found, in the FSM’s Master Plan 2011, a distance learning plan is mentioned with specific reference to Distance Education. Likewise, the FSM EDUCATION FOR ALL 2015 National Plan indicates the intention to use distance learning programs as a major mechanism for improving quality of teaching and other staff and develop infrastructure to facilitate distance learning programmes.

a) International Regulatory or Policy Frameworks

The College of Micronesia-FSM is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Signatory to following global initiatives:

Education for All (EFA)

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

United Nations Literacy Decade

UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education

United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

b) Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum Basic Education Action Plan (FBEAP)

Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of basic Education (PRIDE) Project

Pacific Education for Sustainable Development Framework

Pacific Education Development Framework (PEDF) 2009-2015

The Pacific Plan (the Pacific Plan Task Force is managed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General)

c) National Regulations or Policy

College of MicronesiaFSM Act of 1992

National Literacy Act of 1991

Code of the Federated States of Micronesia. Title 40. Education

FSM Strategic Plan for Improvement of Education

FSM EDUCATION FOR ALL 2015 National Plan

FSM National Youth Policy 2004-2010

FSM Content Standards

Vocational Education and Training

The FSM Adult Education Program (FSM/AEP) was established in 1993 through a $US100,000 grant allocated under the National Literacy Act of 1991 (U.S. PL 102-73). Its six primary stated goals were to

Provide comprehensive Adult Education instructional program responsive to the basic employment skills,
Increase enrolment and expand services for special institutionalized groups,
Establish a means of continuous need assessment of targeted educationally disadvantaged adults,
Promote awareness and involvement with outside agencies and organizations to address the needs of the educationally disadvantaged adults,
Implement special projects and teacher training programs, and
Provide leadership for the efficient management and implementation of the adult education state plan.

Since redevelopment of its plan in 1993, FSM/AEP has been aiming to increase its enrolment and expand services to the rural communities