Schools in Vanuatu

Primary female–male ratio: 0.99:1 (2010)

Secondary female–male ratio: 1.:1 (2010)

Primary pupil–teacher ratio: 21.7:1 (2010)

Primary education, in French or English, is provided free of charge (with effect from 2010). Primary school comprises six years and secondary seven, with cycles of four and three years. Some 72 per cent of pupils complete primary school (2008). The school year starts in February.

All schools in Vanuatu are taught in French or English and the majority of primary and secondary schools are private and located in urban areas. As of 2010, with the help of AusAID, Vanuatu was able to phase out school fees for all public primary schools, however fees are often still applied for tuition, boarding, books and other materials. Port Vila International School is a private, English-speaking school which follows Queensland curriculum into early secondary classes. The Lycée Français follows traditional French curriculum through the secondary level while Malapoa College provides full secondary education in English. There are a number of church-sponsored schools in Vanuatu, including Lenakel Junior Secondary School, on the island of Tanna, and Onesua College, a Presbyterian secondary school located in north-eastern Efaté.