Education and the Americanization of Micronesia

Samenvatting

Education has moved from insuring maintenance of the elite to liberating the majority, according to social theorists today. Micronesia is analyzed from this perspective with special reference to a study by w. J. Platt and p. H. Sorensen (planning for education and manpower in Micronesia, Menlo park, Calif.: Stanford Research Instit, 1967). The report makes several recommendations that would foster the replacement of Americans by Micronesians but completely negates the fact that the culture of Micronesia is being completely wiped out. The goals of the educational system administered by the us include: (1) enhancement of Micronesian ability to compete effectively with American counterparts, (2) development of a 'profit-motive' value system, and (3) infusion of American culture to Micronesia. Use of the Calif. achievement test (cat), for assessing pupil progress, assures that the culture being assimilated by youth is American, not Micronesian. Local suggestion by the non authoritative congress of Micronesia that a coll be established in the territory has been met with resistance. Students who wish to study outside of Micronesia are hand-screened by the scholarships director who channels requests for study at large us schools into a less threatening choice at the coll of Guam or the university of Hawaii. Despite a brain drain of 10-12% of those 'foreign' educated who opt to remain outside Micronesia, and the need for more qualified professionals in the territory, establishment of a local coll was rejected by the US based study team. T. Babitsky.