The education in New Caledonia is essentially the same as that in metropolitan France. There are four basic levels. These are: Preschool (ages 3–5) Primary Education (ages 6–10), Secondary Education (ages 11–18) and Higher Education.
English-language studies on the New Caledonian education system are relatively scarce. It is clear, however, that there is a huge gap in terms of educational outcomes between Kanak children and others. The reasons for this gap are hotly debated. Explanations range from accusations of institutional racism to claims of a specific ‘Melanesian mentality’ that hinders the academic success of Kanak and Pacific Islander children.
Given that New Caledonia has been a part of France, both directly and indirectly, for two centuries, its education system has gradually evolved to follow the same model. Students must attend school between the ages of six and sixteen.
a) School education
Pre-Primary Level
Early childhood education consists of 3 years of non-compulsory preschool provided by nursery schools (Écoles maternelles) and primary schools (Écoles primaires) with early childhood programs. There are currently about 65 nursery schools in New Caledonia.
Primary Level
The first six years of formal education is within a primary school model covering grades 1-6. The language in which lessons are delivered is French, consolidating it as the official language.
Primary education consists of a preparatory year or Cours préparatoire (CP) and 4 additional years (CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2).
In 2010, there were 201 government-run and 85 private-sector primary schools in New Caledonia (these totals include nursery schools).
Secondary Level
The first four years of secondary school are compulsory with students required to attend until they are 16 years of age. The second section of secondary education is an optional three year program known as Upper Secondary, which is required to be completed for entrance into a tertiary institution.
Secondary education is provided by Junior High Schools or Collèges (1st cycle), Senior High Schools or Lycées (2nd cycle General and Technology) and Professional High Schools or Lycées Professionnels (2nd cycle Professional).
After 4 years, Junior High School pupils receive the Diplôme National du Brevet or National Diploma Certificate. Students who proceed to Senior High School spend the next three years studying towards the academic Baccalauréat général or the more technical Baccalauréat technologique.
Those student who go to the Lycées Professionnels spend the next two years studying for certificate- or diploma-level qualifications. Those with a diploma can proceed to a further two years’ study to gain the Baccalauréat professionnel. Graduates with a Baccalauréat professionnel can then either opt for one year’s further training or spend another two years studying for a Baccalauréat technologique.
There are some specialised programs at Junior High School and Senior High level for students with special needs.
According to the official figures there were 40 government-run and 35 private high schools in 2010. This total is broken down into:
30 public and 23 private Junior High Schools
6 public and 4 private Senior High Schools
4 public and 8 private Professional High Schools
A number of secondary schools of all types had remote campuses.
Non-Government Schools
Private schools are an essential part of the country’s education system. Private school associations active in New Caledonia include the Enseignement Catholique (Catholic Education), the Alliance Scolaire (the School Alliance) and the Fédération de l’Enseignement Libre Protestant (Free Protestant Education Federation).
b) Vocational education and training (VET)
Senior High Schools provide post-baccalauréat education in the form of Classes Supérieures des Lycées. Qualifications on offer include the Brevet de Techniciens Supérieurs (BTS), Diplômes Préparatoires aux Études Comptables et Financières (DPECF) and the Diplômes d’Études Comptables et Financières (DECF).
The Institut de Formation des Professions Sanitaires et Sociales en Nouvelle-Calédonie (IFPSS) provides certificate, diploma and degree level training in the areas of nursing, health care and social work.
The L'Institut de Formation à l'Administation Publique (IFAP) offers training courses for public servants and elected office holders in New Caledonia. Each year, the IFAP runs hundreds of training sessions in areas such as law, finance, computer technology, human resource management, public health, science and technology.
There are also three training agencies associated with the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Nouvelle-Caledonie (CCI). These are the Formation Professionnelle Continue (FPC), the Centre de Formation d'Apprentis (CFA) and the Ecole de Gestion et de Commerce (CGE).
Much like the IFAP, the FPC provides tailor-made courses for private companies. Short courses are available in management, communications, law, labour law, accounting, commerce, information technology, languages, occupational health and safety, and computing.
The CFA provides two and three year diploma training for apprentices in a wide range of vocational areas. Training provided through the CFA includes lessons and work experience. Courses on offer from the CFA include diploma, certificate and baccalauréat level qualifications.
The CGE provides education in the fields of management and business studies to secondary school graduates The EGC takes 25 students at year, who take a three-year diploma course, which includes 6 months of work placement and 2 months in Australia.
In addition to agencies attached to the CCI, there are also a number of smaller bodies offering vocational training in fields such as agriculture, seamanship, arts and crafts, mining and quarrying.
c) Higher education
There are five separate institutes of higher education in New Caledonia. In 1987, the Universite Française du Pacific (French University of the Pacific) was established at two locations: one in the French Polynesia, and the other in New Caledonia.In 1999, these were split into two separate entities with the one in French Polynesia being named the Universite de la Polynesie Française (University of French Polynesia) and the other being named Universite de la Nouvelle Caledonie (University of New Caledonia).
The Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie (UNC) is the major tertiary education provider in New Caledonia. The UNC offers a number of preparatory programs, including an entrance diploma (Diplôme d’Accès aux Études Universitaires) and courses aimed for future civil servants. Like any other French university, the UNC provides baccalauréat holders with wide range of programs at diploma, degree and masters levels. The UNC has three faculties: (i) Literature, Languages and Humanities; (ii) Law, Economics and Management; and (iii) Sciences and Technologies. In addition, there is a doctoral school established in association with the Université de la Polynésie Française (UPF). The UNC currently has approximately 2,800 students.
The UNC also offers Continuing Education in the form of short-courses delivered to private or public sector clients. In addition, there is a small Open University program that consists primarily of diploma-level training in a number of vocational areas.
There are three teacher training centres in New Caledonia. Attached to the UNC is the Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres de l’UNC. The Institute provides training for primary and secondary teachers. In addition to the IUDM, there is the Institut de Formation des Maîtres de Nouvelle-Calédonie (IFMNC). The IFMNC also offers training for prospective primary and secondary school teachers, as well as specialised training for teachers of Kanak language and culture. The non-government Ecole Normale de l'Enseignement Privé (ENEP) trains teachers for private schools in New Caledonia. The ENEP offers a three year course, after which graduates are normally employed in schools run by one of the main private school grouping in New Caledonia.
Historical Overview of Distance Education
New Caledonia is largely a consumer of distance education courses from metropolitan France, rather than a source of home-grown programs. However, there are signs of a growing interest in the area of distance education. In recent years, the Centre National d'Enseignement à Distance (CNED) or National Centre for Distance Education has expanded its activities in New Caledonia. The CNED is now offers distance education programs scheduled to coincide with the academic terms in the French overseas territories in the southern hemisphere.
The CNED offers distance learning courses at the pre-baccalauréat level to students in New Caledonia. These courses are available for nursery school, primary, junior secondary and senior secondary students.
The CNED offers TVET-related online and correspondence courses in New Caledonia. These include programs designed to prepare candidates to sit entrance examinations for professional training institutes and public service examinations. As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia is also a market for French agencies offering correspondence courses in vocational areas. Examples include the correspondence courses in agriculture run by bodies such as the Centre National de Promotion Rurale (CNPR).
The UNC has recently begun to provide distance education programs in association with the CNED. These include a small number of post-baccalauréat level qualifications. Also active in New Caledonia are the 35 French universities that form the Fédération Interuniversitaire d’Enseignement à Distance (FIED). These institutions offer students in New Caledonia with opportunities to choose from a wide variety of university courses by correspondence or online.
Administration and Finance
The New Caledonia Educational Authority for Primary, Secondary and Higher Education, based in Noumea, is a decentralized government department that oversees the educational system in New Caledonia. Both public and parochial schools are accountable to this entity. Education in New Caledonia is free and remains compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16.
Higher Education Reforms
The UNC has recently received increased autonomy as part of the wider French reform of the university sector. On 1 January 2011, the institution achieved autonomy in terms of its budget and human resources. Although the UNC receives a global budget from the French Government, it has wide discretion in expenditures.
Future Direction of Tertiary Education
In 2012, the three different parts of the UNC will move to a single campus. This campus will include residential accommodation for 471 students, new sporting venues and improved facilities for teaching and administration. The UNC intends to position itself as an international university, creating new courses designed to attract overseas students. These courses, along with modern residential, sporting and leisure facilities, are expected to drive the internationalisation of the UNC student body. The goal is that 7% of students will be from overseas by 2013. In addition, the UNC plans to further develop the range of its distance education programs.
Information and Communications Technology Initiatives
a) Information society strategy
New Caledonia has relatively modern telecommunications by Pacific standards. The government-owned OPT New Caledonia offers fixed line telephony, a GSM mobile network and Internet access. Mobile telephones now exceed the number of fixed-line connections. There are no less than 5 ISPs in New Caledonia, offering Internet connection speeds of up to 2Mbs. The rapid expansion of telecommunications access is largely due to the Gondwana-1 undersea communications cable connecting New Caledonia and Australia. Brought into service in mid 2008, Gondwana-1 has made it possible for students to benefit from widespread Internet access. Free Internet wi-fi services have been installed in a number of public areas, including high schools and institutes of higher learning such as the UNC, the IUFM and IFM-NC.
b) Major e-learning initiatives
Since 2005, apprentices and higher education students in New Caledonia have been able to participate in the Micro-Portable Etudiant (MIPE) program. Under this program, students can select from a wide choice of wi-fi enabled laptops at reduced prices, typically 30% lower than the normal retail price. These computers cost between 30,000 and 240,000 francs and guaranteed 1 to 3 years.
c) Benchmarking e-learning
None identified.
d) Support for Open Education Resources (OER)
In 2011, a representative from New Caledonia attended the Foundation Meeting for the OER University at Otago, New Zealand. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, based in New Caledonia, has also expressed considerable interest in OER. However, interest in OER appears at an early stage.
e) Government entities
Ministre de l'Éducation nationale
Ministère de l'enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche
Vice-Rectorat de Nouvelle-Calédonie
Direction de l'Enseignement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (DENC)
f) Associations and networks
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Nouvelle-Calédonie (CCI)
g) Distance education journals
None identified.
Interesting Distance Education Initiatives
New Caledonia is a world away from most Pacific islands in terms of its access to online distance education. This gap is best typified by the Académie en ligne (Academy Online) initiative. The Academy is a free online educational resource site produced by the CNED and now available to students in New Caledonia. The site is intended for the use of parents who wish to assist their children’s study and for students engaging in self-directed learning. Academy Online takes students from their first year in primary school up to the baccalauréat. Searchable by subject, level or keywords, the site provides multimedia learning resources in a wide variety of disciplines, including languages, materials science, economics and literature.