Post-WWII Teacher Training Efforts in Micronesia

Sachuo, Sweeter; Ballendorf, Dirk Anthony (December 2005). "Post-WWII Teacher Training Efforts in Micronesia". Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Albury, NSW: HeritageFutures International. 4 (2): 102–107. ISSN 1449-7336.

• Has attachment: File:7X2WFNRM.pdf

Abstract: During the Japanese Mandate period in Micronesia, 1914 to 1944, schooling was compulsory for up to three years for all native people, and Japanese contract teachers staffed the public schools assisted by local helpers. At the end of the war all Japanese nationals were repatriated and the local assistants were let go. The American Trusteeship Administration was faced with the problem of supplying local teachers who had not previously worked for the Japanese. In each district, military volunteers and their dependents provided initial staff, and locals were engaged and trained for the elementary schools. During the summer recess from school the local teachers were kept on salary to continue training, and then also special teacher-training schools were established, first at Guam and then at Chuuk to meet the demands for each district. Religious mission schools also participated in these programs. These early teacher-training efforts produced not only a cadre of teachers for the schools, but also educated people, many of whom went on to become leaders in many sectors of the island societies.