Education in Nauru

Joined Commonwealth: 1968

Population: 10,000 (2009)

Net primary enrolment: 72.3% (2007)

There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at age six. The school year starts in January. Scholarships are available for higher education overseas. The gross enrolment ratio for all levels combined is 53% (2008) with a primary female-male ratio of 1.06:1 and a secondary female-male ratio of 1.2:1 (2008). The pupil-teacher ratio for primary school is 20:1 and for secondary 21:1 (2008). The school year starts in January.

For higher education, students need to go overseas, mainly to Australia and New Zealand, and scholarships are available for this. Nauru is a partner in the regional University of the South Pacific, which has a centre in Nauru and its main campus in Suva, Fiji Islands.

Nauru’s economy is entirely dependent on its dwindling phosphate deposits. The government recognises that diversification of the country’s economy is the way forward, and since diversification necessitates skills development, education is becoming more and more of a priority.