Universities and Colleges in Tonga

Almost six per cent of Tongan residents are enrolled in higher education (2004). Tonga is a partner in the regional University of the South Pacific (USP) which has its main campus in Suva, Fiji and satelittle campuses in other island countries, offering a wide curriculum with courses up to a postgraduate qualification. The USP campus at ‘Atele is the main provider of higher education in Tonga with some 1,400 students enrolled per semester for preliminary, foundation and degree courses, using the university’s distance-learning facilities. Tonga’s secondary university is Atenisi, which is Tonga’s only private university – altough it is not recognised by the Tongan government. The Institute of Higher Education, a branch of the Ministry of Education, coordinates all education post-secondary level. Literacy among people aged 15-24 is 99% (2006).