Kiribati World Teachers' Day

Kiribati World Teachers' Day

October 6

The Republic of Kiribati is a group of 33 coral islands in the central Pacific Ocean, about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.
European settlers began arriving in Kiribati in the 1800s. In 1892, the Gilbert Islands agreed to become a British protectorate. They became part of a British colony (along with the Ellice Islands and Banaba) in 1916. Over the next 20 years, the Line and Phoenix Islands were incorporated. The republic gained independence from the United Kingdom on July 12, 1979. Today, the official language in Kiribati is English. The main languages are English, Gilbertese, and Austronesian.
The constitution of Kiribati requires children between the ages of 6 and 15 years old to attend school. Primary school includes grades 1 through 6, and Junior Secondary School (JSS) includes grades 7 through 9. Once students complete JSS, they may choose to continue on to secondary schools or to pursue vocational or technical careers. Students must successfully complete secondary school in order to attend a higher education institution.
Kiribati joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on October 24, 1989. By September 2006, Kiribati had 14 schools participating in UNESCO's Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet), a network of schools dedicated to promoting quality education.
To show their respect and appreciation for teachers in Kiribati, October 6 has been declared World Teachers' Day. It is a national holiday set aside to acknowledge that teachers contribute greatly to the development of the country's most important resource—people. On World Teacher's Day, the activities include local dancing, singing, and sporting events. Also, the Kiribati Teachers College in Tarawa is open to the public, allowing people to visit the school and learn more about it.

CONTACTS:
Kiribati National Tourism Office
Ministry of Communication, Transport & Tourism Development
P.O. Box 487
Betio, Tarawa Republic of Kiribati
www.visit-kiribati.com

Celebration day: Oct 6