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[Educational Standards and Funding]
[65% of the voters in the August 27, 2002, referendum voted in
favor of this amendment. A 75% affirmative vote was required to pass the
amendment, so the amendment failed.]
7. Committee Proposal No. 01-11:
This proposed amendment will amend Section 1 of Article XIII by
requiring "the national government to establish accreditation standards for
primary and secondary schools regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment,
teaching credentials, student performance and school facilities." It is
also required to establish "a supplemental education fund" to assist
the state to implement and maintain these national standards. This fund will use
not less than twenty percent (20%) of the revenue derived from selling permits
to foreign fishing vessels to fish in the FSM exclusive economic zone. This fund
will be controlled and administered by the national government, which will
establish requirements for state participation.
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ANALYSIS:
The Convention envisages this education fund to be
administered in the same way and in similar fashion as the United States
federal education programs. To participate in the fund, the states will have
to meet nationally established requirements and standards for primary and
secondary schools’ curriculum, instruction, assessment, teaching
credentials, student performance and school facilities. The nationally
established standards will serve as the minimum standards, but the states may
set higher standards on their own.
Politically, this proposal might promote political
cohesiveness between the states and the national government. In other words,
it will focus attention on the national government as a caring and generous
political institution. This might contribute to the creation of a national
consciousness, which is absent in this country.
© John R. Haglelgam, March 4, 2002
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